nnypost.com New York Post, Wednesday, December 20, 2017 save day By CARL CAMPANILE 4 Jewish family from Connect- icut has pulled off a Christmas tiacle for 2,200 needy kids in’ New York City ‘The family sprang into action when Toys for ‘Tots was over- ‘whelmed by demand and didn't have enough toys to go around. ‘Within 24 hours, Gabrielia Rizack, 22, her dad, foshua, and brothers Reid and Emmet came to the rescue by raising $1700 to deliver gifts to the waiting children — including kids in domestic-violence shelters. Gabriella volunteered after see- {ng an appeal for the toy charity online, persuading her father t0 ‘overcome his reservations about ‘wearing St. Nick costume. “What's a Jew doing putting ona Santa Claus suit?" Joshua quipped “Think about all the Christians ‘who died liberating the [concen- tration) camps and how we can set ‘an example to people of all reli- ‘ions, Dad" Gabriella responded, na heartfelt fund-raising ap- peal Sunday to 5 friends and as- Sociates, Joshua pointed out that charity is universal. “Never in my life did think a be begging friends and neigh- bors to drop everything to help vwith a Christmas project. Nor did I ever expect to find myself dressed as Santa Claus or my kids as Mrs. Claus and two elves," he said in the appeal “But God put us in this post- tion for some reason, and we are grateful to Him for, yes, the op- Portunity to do something right and special this year. We now Offer it to you, with our most ao Smee aad ‘TAKING UP THE SANTA CAUSE: Gabriella Rizack (second from right) of Connecticut and het famly donned tel ga apparel — even tho Christmas appeal that raised heartfelt thanks and hopeful- ness. Gabriella says she just knows you're going to say yes” Joshua said he was “blown away" by the response. About $17,000 came in within 24 hours ‘and money is stil pouring in, Joshua, a financial consultant, thanked the New York Multifam fly Group at Marcus Millichap and the Friezo Family Founda- tion for major donations. MichselSelarafo, who founded the Secret Sandy Claus Project afer Hurcane, Sandy ravaged parts ofthe elt in 2012, Confirmed thatthe Rizacks were the folks who saved Christmas “This was the most moving, besitfal and. hearowaeming h theyre Jewish — in a special 17,000 for Toys for Tots tohalp needy New York City kids. thing that has ever been written about what we do. Lam literally bawling right now," Sciaraffo said ina letter to Joshua, Sciaraffo said Toys for Tots has been a strong backer of his pro- gram, and delivered 2800 toys out Of the 5000 needed but couldn't ‘come up with the rest in ti “The Rizacks picked up the slack.