Battling cancer through hidden treasures

Space in a local pharmacy is now being use to house a “treasure shop” that sells new and gently used giftware, bric-a-brac, Judaica, crystal, house wares, silver, and collectibles with the money benefitting a cancer-fighting organization.

The Five Towns Pharmacy at 1019 Broadway in Woodmere has become the new home for the Israel Children’s Cancer Foundation Treasure Shop that opened Nov. 1.

Volunteers for the Cancer Foundation, Helene Warhit and Linda Brozik, approached the owner of the Five Towns Pharmacy, Saud Ansari, to see if they could rent space in the rear of his store to open up the treasure shop.

Ansari thought it was a good cause as well as a good opportunity to help others; a lesson he tries to teach his family. He also declined Warhit and Brozik’s proposal to pay rent and decided not to charge them for the space.

“He (Ansari) is the most generous spirited person you’ll ever meet,” Warhit said. “It’s great how people unite by giving their time, giving space for the shop and donating money so everyone plays a role which is really nice.”

The Israel Children’s Cancer Foundation, based in Lawrence, was founded 13 years ago by Harold Blond, who ensures every penny raised through fundraisers and shops such as the treasure shop, benefits Israeli children with cancer.

Currently, 100 percent of the money generated goes to the foundation as long with not paying rent, everything for sale in the shop was donated. Warhit and Brozik even make house calls to pick-up merchandise.

Both women are at the treasure shop as much as possible but when they are unable to be there, pharmacy employees help out and set aside the money for items purchased from the shop.

“I thought they (Warhit and Brozik) would be really active at first,” Ansari said. “But after things got going, I thought I’d never see them but they’re in the store all the time and they’re doing a great job.”

Brozik and Warhit said once business starts picking up and more people are aware of the shop, they’ll plan holiday events and may even expand to the, now empty, upstairs of the pharmacy.

“Donations aren’t a problem, the problem is getting the word out about the shop and about the foundation itself,” Warhit said. “We have so much potential, it’s a matter of seeing where it goes.”

Donations are welcome. For more information call (516) 375-6080 or (516) 295-3518.