Mitzvah Day…a mitzvah in itself
The Mitzvah Day organisers have said thank you to Melbourne, Shepparton, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide for their wonderful contribution to Mitzvah Day 2015.
Their report:
Last Sunday was not only a glorious spring day but also saw our most successful Mitzvah Day in Australia.
David Southwick with volunteers Photo: Steve Yarrow
Together, thousands of people took part in over 82 Projects nationally! Everyone who participated contributed to reducing hardship, helped our environment or were able to bring a little joy where it was needed, all through hands-on participation. It was truly wonderful to see so many different groups and charities supported (Jewish and non Jewish). Together, we have made a difference to many people’s lives.
There were great numbers of volunteers attending every registered Project. Just to pick out a few – there were hundreds attending a picnic with the Sudanese Community; over 100 people (ranging in ages from 5 – 100) gift wrapping presents in an aged care residential facility for a Youth Fund and another group of 80 also wrapping gifts for disadvantaged people in our community; over 60 people sat around a kitchen table making scarves; multiple cookathons in Sydney and Melbourne saw parents and children preparing and delivering meals for those in need; many families helped with working bees in warehouses, sorting clothes, revamping bicycles to send off to 3rd world countries and cleaning out a community run childcare centre.
Older members of the community enjoyed concerts, choirs and dancing groups. Others gave blood. The 
youngest registered group was from a kindergarten with 40 four to five year old children visiting a local nursing home to sing songs and present the residents with gifts they had made. While the oldest registered Project was a craft workshop organised by a 95 year old.
Those who could not participate on the day still found ways to be involved, such as arranging specific collectathons and other fantastic contributions.
Also, thank you to all of the people who organised a Project and to all of those who volunteered their time to participate in a Projects. Without you, Mitzvah Day would not have been such a success.
We can’t wait to see you on Mitzvah Day 2016.
