WJR'S FIRST FLASHMOB EXTRAVAGANZA
On Sunday 18th October more than 60 WJR volunteers took part in the Jewish community's first ever 'Flashmob' at the 02 Centre, Finchley Road. The event was planned to help raise awareness for WJR's latest campaign - Operation Winter Survival (OWS) - which urges the UK Jewish community to donate essential items that will help vulnerable clients in the former Soviet Union, survive the oncoming severe winter months.
WATCH WJR'S FIRST FLASHMOB EXTRAVAGANZA HERE
Flashmob participants ranged from the ages of 9 months to 70 years old, with each participant following the instructions they received via WJR's viral marketing campaign. They were told to turn up at 2pm, bring good-as-new donations of winter clothes or unopened toiletries/sanitary items and then follow a WJR volunteer. One volunteer commented "I turned up not knowing what to expect. I received a really interesting email telling me to bring winter supplies to the 02 Centre and then wait for further instructions - its all been very exciting".
As volunteers arrived in their droves, local dance sensation 'Dancing with Louise' performed a specially devised winter themed dance to the iconic Ice Ice Baby. During the performance, passers-by came to a standstill, captivated by the group of 6-10 year old dancers; each girl chose one of their own woolly hats for the dance and then donated it to our extended family in need.
Louise Leach, Director of Dancing with Louise said: "We were thrilled when WJR asked us to be part of this novel event - it is a wonderful cause and the girls were so pleased to perform in front of so many people. They really rose to the challenge and their parents were so supportive too. It was nice to see people stopping to enjoy the dance and I really hope we can help spread the word about Operation Winter Survival."
Following the performance, volunteers formed three lines, and enthusiastically filled three OWS bags with donated items of warm winter clothes and toiletries. Once the bags were full, volunteers incorporated them into the first ever "human" WJR logo!
Paul Anticoni, Chief Executive of World Jewish Relief said: "The flashmob was definitely a first for WJR, and it was very exciting to be at the forefront of such an interactive public event. More importantly, something as fun and simple as the flashmob can directly help WJR to save a life this winter in the former Soviet Union. With temperatures set to drop to -20ºc, time is running out to make sure that our clients have the essentials they desperately need. We hope that the event will remind people to request OWS bags and fill them with good-as-new warm winter clothes, and un-opened toiletries."
WJR is aiming to fill over 3,000 survival bags between now and November 8th, 2009.
