Shomrei Emunah had our first Mitzvah Day.  Members, of all ages, participated together, in a truly multi-generational day.  The adults were fueled by mimosas and the kids by pure enthusiasm.

We:

• made 100 sandwiches and bagged them along with apple sauce, protein bar, tangerine, chips and a bottle of water for MESH.
• packed 50 Senior grocery bags, which contained one week’s groceries, for Toni’s Kitchen senior delivery.  Toni’s Kitchen provides groceries for 200 seniors every week
• assembled 26 Welcome laundry baskets filled with all kinds of cleaning supplies for Family Promise‘s clients for when they move into their new home
• prepared cards for Israeli Soldiers with friendship bracelets
• made new Mom gift bags with toiletries and collected diapers and wipes for Human Needs Food Pantry
• fully stocked the Little Pantry
• picked dandelions outdoors and completed other gardening projects completed
• sorted and cleaned the old Rabbi’s office (first time ever)
• brought all the bags downstairs and loaded cars for delivery
• cleaned the social Hall and washed and put away dishes
• removed all the trash

No task was left undone by our wonderful volunteers – whatever needed doing was completed with smiles on faces and then asking “what is next?”

A very special thank you to the Mitzvah Day Committee who consisted of Fern Heinig, Mara, Weinstein, Marina Block, Donna Podnos, Risa Bernstein, Amy Rabinowitz, Aylah Winter, and Gail Slepian.

And let us not forget our activity leaders David Haimes for leading the outdoor crew, Jordan Sag and Eva Halbfinger for leading the MESHers, Ehud Klinger and Rabbi Julie for leading the indoor cleanup.  Also, a shout out to the STOM teens, Vi, Mirela, and Lily, who helped unbox and inventory our supplies. The office staff, Ehud, Jenn and Marge were a big help with all the Amazon deliveries and drop-offs. Carlos did most of the heavy work, hauling all the supplies to storage and then having to bring them to the social hall on event day.

One final thank you, to our community for the donations. The response to our supply needs was overwhelming.  Your generosity continues to be an inspiration of who our community is.

The day can be summed up by one of our younger volunteers asking her mother as they were leaving,  “Mitzvah Day was so much fun.  Can we do it again next week?”

Maybe not next week, but next year for sure.

Cheers,
Fern