Got Mitzvah? 2011: Inspiring Volunteer Expo & Action Day

This article was submitted by Leigh Blander of the JCC.

Volunteer agencies from around the North Shore and the world will pack the JCC on Sunday, March 13, for Got Mitzvah? 2011, a community-wide volunteer expo and action day. The goal is to inspire people to find a cause and get involved.

 “It’s an incredibly meaningful day,” said Got Mitzvah? 2011 co-chair Karen Madorsky. “When you’re here, you feel connected to people around the world. And you feel like you can make a difference.”  

More than 50 agencies will have booths with information on how you can help. Come hear from The Heifer Project about how buying a flock of chickens can help families in a Third World country.

Pet a racing dog from Greyhound Rescue of Massachusetts. Find out how you can support Yemin Orde, an Israeli school destroyed in recent wild fires. Some of the other groups attending include:

•  The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry
•  Make a Wish
• Beverly Bootstraps
• HAWC
• Marblehead Conservancy
• Nurturing Minds for Africa
• Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

At the same time, families will roll up their sleeves and join Mitzvah projects at the J and around the North Shore.  At the JCC, people will cook for local shelters and make hats and blankets for foster children.

Teens will help children write letters to American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Preschoolers will fill Passover baskets for needy families. Everyone is invited to bring and donate children’s clothing, supplies, toys and musical instruments – all for various agencies.

Out in the community, local teens will run a Spring Carnival for kids at Lynn’s Ford School. Art students from Marblehead’s Acorn Gallery will paint a mural for Lifebridge in Salem (formerly the Salem Mission).

Other mitzvah projects are planned for Woodbridge Assisted Living in Peabody, Plummer Home for Boys in Salem and Cape Ann Art Haven, an after-school program for kids in need.

“This is an unbelievably great program,” said Tom Cheatham with Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister. “We’ll be there encouraging people to help kids, giving people the chance to step up and make a difference. Events like this make you feel good about doing good.”

At Lifebridge in Salem, case manager Carlton Beaver is excited for the mural being painted by students at Acorn Gallery in Marblehead.

“All the people here will love it,” he said. “And it’s important for kids to learn about people who have fallen on hard times. It can happen to anyone.”

So come out on March 13th 1-4 pm.  For more information, please go to www.jfns.org/gotmitzvah2011. You can also call 781-639-2880, ext 243.