Aviva Lyss-Loren, a rising 3rd grader at Seattle Jewish Community School, approached JFS this summer about a special donation. Here’s the story on this 9-year-old and her creative, self-initiated mitzvah.
Tell us about your donation.
I gave JFS stuff that people would need moving in somewhere or if they didn’t have a house. I bought blankets, pillows, toiletries, and adventure stuff like bug spray and sunscreen.
Where did you get the money to purchase so many items?
After school, I sold lots of things for a low price so kids and adults would buy them. I also saved up my “share” money from my moon jar. The stuff I sold was like dice, rainbow loom bracelets, pencils, kippot, and other little things in my house that we didn’t want or need. I sold the stuff to kids and parents after school for most of the year. I think people bought stuff because they wanted what I sold and because they wanted to give tzedakah to help other people. A lot of parents decided to give me money but not take anything.
How did you decide upon a recipient?
I had thought about buying stuff for animals or supporting the rain forest but decided not to. I felt like I wanted to help people first and animals another time. I wanted to help humans first because if more humans can help themselves, then they will be able to help more animals. Once I decided to raise money to give to people who might need things, then I walked through Target and Mommy helped me choose things that would work and help someone who didn’t have a place to live yet.
You were very specific that you wanted the items to go to one person or family. Why?
I didn’t get enough things for a lot of people to have tons of new stuff. I wanted one person or family to get everything they need instead of lots of people only getting one thing.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your project?
While shopping, me and my friend Shoshie were piled with so much stuff on top of us in the cart. We were so squished. When we finally had to get out of the cart, the cart was still super full. You can come to SJCS any day after school and find me with my white bag of stuff that I’m selling – then you can buy stuff too.
By Deb Frockt
Deb Frockt is Director of Marketing & Communications. She enjoys baking, beaching and learning about golf, both kinds of football, fashion and pop music from her husband and sons.
