Regardless of the pandemic, the holidays are fast approaching and the joy of the season is needed now more than ever.
For the last 24 years, the Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC (JCRC/AJC) has provided thousands of Christmas Day volunteer opportunities for members of the community as part of Mitzvah Day. Annually, more than 600 people of all backgrounds have spent the day at metropolitan Detroit nonprofits filling staff shortages and allowing organizations to reduce staffing.
This year, JCRC/AJC intends to continue this important tradition in a modified format to ensure safety and meet the changing needs of the organizations.
“Organizations we have historically worked with on December 25 are continuing to determine what their volunteer needs will be during the holiday season,” said Rabbi Asher Lopatin, executive director, Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC. “This has been particularly communicated by those that rely on indoor and close contact activities. As we work to best meet their, and volunteers, needs, please know that we still do intend on making the day meaningful to those who participate.”
Leading up to the holiday, JCRC/AJC will be sending periodic eblasts listing the most up-to-date volunteer and donation needs for organizations throughout metropolitan Detroit. Listings will feature anything from a call for drivers to deliver meals to homebound seniors to gift wish lists for kids and families.
Added Rabbi Lopatin, “As some nonprofits may not know their needs until very close to Christmas Day, we will be listing their direct contact information so that those interested may reach out directly with questions or to sign-up. We want to make the process as easy as possible given such difficult times.”
In addition to the eblasts, the continually updated list can be found at https://jcrcajc.org/2020/11/17/mitzvah-day-2020-opportunities/.
For more information, contact Sandy Lippitt, JCRC/AJC’s Special Projects Coordinator, at slippitt@jfmd.org.
