Who says you have to be an adult to make a difference? In our community, the kids give. We meet a lot of young people who make an impact through their thoughtful and caring actions. We are constantly blown away by their understanding of tzedakah and their acts of loving kindness. We want to showcase a few who have inspired us this year and say thanks!
Sisters Eden and Sofia Freedman attended a holiday basket making event at JFS and brought in $31 in donations. The girls earn money by helping out around the house. Each month, they decide as a family where the funds will go.
“It’s extremely impactful for them to give, and we try and make it a fun family activity,” says mom Rachel Freedman. “Taking a Sunday to donate or volunteer is very important to us, and I know it’s empowering to them.”
When Lisa Erlanger read a JFS fundraising letter to her daughter Julia, Julia felt like she wanted to donate. She wrote a note back to JFS and taped in her donation of $1.00 in quarters. When we asked her why she donated, Julia gave these two reasons:
- “I love what JFS does.”
- “I think it’s rude to get mail and not respond.”
Ms. Anderson’s 2nd grade class at Seattle Hebrew Academy put together an end-of-year drive to collect household items for a newly resettled refugee family. Half of the items were donations and half were purchased with proceeds from the class “Peace Market.” Each year, the 2nd grade puts on a market modeled after Pike Place. Students sell produce, busk, and make and sell crafts to raise tzedakah funds.
Silvi Goldstein, Program Associate in JFS Volunteer Services, visited the class to talk about the work JFS does with refugees and receive the donations.
“The discussion was great. When asked about what was most important to collect for refugee families, one student explained to the class that basic needs like a roof, toiletries, food and access to clean water were the most important items to donate because everyone deserved to have these needs met,” says Goldstein. “Working with young people is awesome because it reminds us that we all have the ability to give back to our community.”
Be sure to check out The LemonAid stand, a fun “kids give” summertime project from 2015!
For ways your family can get involved at JFS, check out our upcoming volunteer events.
By Leslie Sugiura
Savvy cook, extreme clam digger, urban gardener and mom to Stella the dog are just a few of the titles Leslie Sugiura keeps in rotation. She’s also the Director of Special Events for JFS where she spearheads the annual Community of Caring Luncheon.
