On Sunday, November 2nd The Jewish Federation hosted our 5th Community Service Day of the year in conjunction with Mitzvah Day. Over 130 volunteers participated in a variety of four projects throughout Los Angeles, all of which served different populations. With the diversity of options, there was a project for everyone interested.
The annual Senior Prom at the Westside JCC is one of the most heart-warming volunteer projects of the year. This project was designated specifically for YALA (ages 25-40) volunteers. It is always very special to see our young adult volunteers engage with senior citizens. More than 80 seniors come out, dressed to the nines ready to dance the afternoon away.
Other Federation volunteers returned to Union Rescue Mission again this year to serve lunch to the Mission’s clients. They prepped lunch and served different populations during their assigned shifts throughout a four-hour period. They were fortunate to be given a tour of the Mission by a former client at the Union Rescue Mission.
We went to JFS { SOVA and helped sort and categorize 20,000 pounds of food that had been donated during JFS { SOVA’s High Holiday food drive. This project was in collaboration with Mitzvah Day, the annual community service day in the Valley, which is led by The Jewish Federation Valley Alliance and involves over 40 synagogues, schools and other Valley Jewish organizations.
And finally, our volunteers went to three of ETTA’s group residential homes for adults with special needs, where they planted a fruit tree at each of the homes, which will eventually bear fruit for the residents and our community to enjoy. A Netiya educator taught the groups how to properly plant a tree and spoke about Shmita – the sabbatical year for land. Together, volunteers and residents then painted rocks to place around the tree, and enjoyed getting to know each other during a picnic lunch.
Volunteers who attend our Community Service Days have said they feel like the lucky ones. We hope you will continue volunteering with us, and join us if you have not yet signed up for our next Community Service Day on December 21st.
And, our 9th annual Toy and Book Drive begins on November 10th – if you would like to participate in it email Alana Schwartz.
