Volunteer Ed Gordon: God’s Love as a Place of Honor

Ed Gordon was four years old when his family emigrated to the U.S. from Argentina, hoping to capitalize on the promise of a new beginning. He grew up in New York and went on to spend the majority of his 40-year business career working in China and Hong Kong, designing, developing, and licensing household items for outlets like the Home Shopping Network.

When Ed retired in 2017, he sought a local volunteer opportunity where he could honor the important people in his life. He came to God’s Love We Deliver for his next beginning.

“I got involved with God’s Love to honor my mom, Pola, who was an incredible cook,” said Gordon. “We didn’t have much growing up but my mother was amazing in the kitchen the way she could turn two slices of bread into a meal.”

“I also wanted to serve the memory of my good friend, Paul Olshan, who died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1992. He loved the care and support he received from God’s Love.”

By coincidence, Ed’s in-laws were delivering Thanksgiving meals in 1992 for God’s Love so the seed was planted.

Eight years ago, Ed joined the legendary God’s Love We Deliver Thursday evening crew whose core members worked together for more than 20 years.

“The camaraderie of that Thursday crew showed me what God’s Love was all about. They worked hard and the core group became a second family for many volunteers attending weddings, funerals and bar mitzvahs together.

“I knew that I’d found something special,” said Ed, who worked with the Thursday crew  until 2020 when the group disbanded during the global pandemic.

Recently, Ed moved out to Long Island where he’s closer to his four grandchildren all under the age of five. For the last four years, Ed has been part of the God’s Love Sunday afternoon crew doing a lot of meal packing and showing the ropes to corporate and school volunteer groups.

But whatever the job, the Sunday afternoon friendships continue speaking to his needs as a volunteer.

“Every one of us comes to God’s Love for a reason. We all need to be able to do something for other people.”