Saluting Local Heroes of The Associated: The Katcoffs

May 14, 2021 The Associated

The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded we all make sacrifices. We’ve worn masks, social distanced, postponed simchas and in too many cases, endured unthinkable tragedy.

Despite these hardships, some have looked beyond their personal challenges to help others who are struggling. We’re proud to say that a few of these brave and generous individuals reside in our own Jewish community.

From preparing hundreds of grilled cheese sandwiches to phoning neighbors in order to combat loneliness to helping survivors of domestic violence to making sure our youngest community members can go to school — these are a few local heroes who give us something to kvell about.

The Associated salutes these individuals who have been involved with our Associated system for their dedication and commitment this past year.

For the Katcoffs of Pikesville, helping those less fortunate is a family affair.

Before the pandemic, the family — parents Robin and Jason Katcoff and daughters Wriley, 15 and Ariella, 12 — were frequent participants in programs such as Jewish Volunteer Connection’s Mitzvah Days, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Bunches of Lunches — a program that provides bag lunches for the hungry — at their children’s schools.

When the pandemic hit, the family stepped up their volunteer efforts. “We knew we wanted to do something to help,” says Robin. [Due to the pandemic] we were mostly staying home all the time. So, we started doing Bunches of Lunches from home,” she recalls. “The first week we made six lunches, then I said, ‘let’s keep going.’”

Eventually, the family was making as many as 20 grilled cheese sandwiches per week! The activity became even more fun when Robin and her family started decorating the lunch bags.

“At first, the decorations were simple — happy faces for instance. But then I started taking an online zentangling class and one of my daughters would sometimes join me. We started decorating our bags with zentangle drawings. It’s been so nice,” says Robin.

Making lunches has become a great bonding experience as well as an opportunity for “teachable moments,” says Robin. “Every Sunday night, making the lunches is on our schedule. That has to get done before we do any other family activities. The kids are learning that there are people out there who don’t have what they have. My family says they are really happy I pushed them to get involved with the program.”