Five Towns Community Chest raises nearly $16,000

By collectively losing more than 150 pounds, nine people raised nearly $16,000 for Five Towns Community Chest during the 60-day “Taking it off for Chest” fundraiser from April to June.

The organization’s director, Bob Block, said the fundraiser was developed at the end of March. Each participant was responsible for collecting a list of people who would pledge a donation for each pound shed. The Woodmere-based Community Chest raises money to support local agencies that provide services and programs for children, seniors and the chronically ill or disabled and help for families in crisis.

“The fundraiser was successful in three ways: It helped us raise funds for the much-needed services for the Five Towns Community Chest, and the program raised awareness of the Community Chest and the good things we do,” Block said. “And thanks to the Nassau Herald and the support of the Richner family, they kept the community informed about the fundraiser, which created such good will, it was phenomenal. People would stop me on the street when I was out walking, people I didn’t know, because they saw the story in the Herald.”

Block raised more than $6,000 and lost 21½ pounds by walking, reducing meal portions and cutting out many carbohydrates. “My beloved ice cream had to go,” he said.

Eric Keslowitz, the Community Chest’s chairman, lost 20 pounds and raised $2,000. He decided to take part in the fundraiser to raise money and lose some “unnecessary” weight. “I went to the gym, watched what I was eating, stopped eating carbs and junk food,” he said.

Jack Baruch of Woodmere Car Care went on a strict low-carb, low-calorie diet, lost 25 pounds and raised $1,000. He decided to join in on the fundraiser after Block approached him. “I guess he heard I was contemplating going on a diet,” Baruch said. “It’s important I lose the weight, and why not include a charitable project?”

Michael Finkelstein, owner of the Cedarhurst-based Carmichael’s Hair Salon, said he, like Baruch, was approached by Block to participate in the fundraiser. He lost 22 pounds and raised $2,400 with the help of 40 pledges. “I feel that the Community Chest is a very worthy cause that I would like to see maintaining its status among the charities in the Five Towns,” Finkelstein said.

Dr. Michael Feldman of East Coast Endodontic in Hewlett heard about the fundraiser at a basketball tournament at the end of March. “It’s a great way to raise money for our community,” he said.

Feldman, who lost 23 pounds and raised $2,000 for the Community Chest, said he lost the weight through exercise and the Paleo diet. “I changed my diet and began eating natural food such as protein, fruits, veggies and nuts,” he said. “The Paleo diet is about eating natural food that’s grown from the ground.”

When asked if they can keep the weight off, Block, Keslowitz, Baruch, Finkelstein and Feldman were optimistic. Baruch said he hopes to participate in another fundraiser like this one. “If there’s another fundraiser in the area, I’ll lose another 40 pounds,” he said. “I’m not done losing.”

Block said he has every intention of continuing his weight loss. “I’ve been overweight for years, so it’s a great incentive to get me on the right path,” he said of the fundraiser. “And my family will kill me if I don’t.”