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Mitzvah Day

December 25 All day

On December 25th, join hundreds of others from the Detroit Jewish community giving back by volunteering at a local nonprofit. Your mitzvah allows the staff of these organizations to have time off and enjoy Christmas with their families.  

There are a variety of volunteer locations and needs with something for everyone, including family friendly options. You simply need to reach out and let them know you want to help. 

Choose a Mitzvah Day project and contact the lead person listed to join. Spots are first come, first served and the last day to sign up is Monday, December 23rd.

Mitzvah Day is presented by Federation’s Community Relations Committee. For questions, contact Daniel Bucksbaum at bucksbaum@jewishdetroit.org, or Tamara Lopes at lopes@jewishdetroit.org. 

Thank you for those who have volunteered, registration is now closed. Please contact Daniel Bucksbaum at 248-762-7789 should you have any issues.

  • 11850 Woodrow Wilson
    Detroit, MI 48206
  • Lead contact: spethoud@casscommunity.org – 313-883-2277 x203 (Sue Pethoud)
  • Contact on December 25: Faith Fowler- ffowler@casscommunity.org – 313-883-2277
  • Description of Agency: Homeless services agency with shelters, emergency housing and permanent supportive housing programs.
  • Volunteer Project: Prepare and serve meals.

Arrival Details: Park in the lot and enter the kitchen down the cement ramp in the back of the building. You will need to push a button at the gate for access.
Dress Code: Closed toe shoes. Will provide aprons, hair nets, and gloves
Children: 12+
Shifts: 10am-2pm

  • Volunteer Address: MCREST Shelter
    215 South Main Street
    Mount Clemens, MI, 48043
  • Lead contact: kbielman@trinityct.org – 586-661-1600 (Katie Bielman)
  • Contact on December 25: Katie Bielman- kbielman@trinityct.org – 586-661-1600
  • Description of Agency: Trinity Lutheran Church is located in Clinton Township, MI. We are hosting MCREST for 50 women and children at the MCREST Shelter located at 215 South Main Street, Mount Clemens, Michigan 48043.
  • Volunteer Project: We are looking for volunteers to help with hospitality activities after dinner, from 7:00pm-9:00pm on December 25th. Hospitality can be arts and crafts, board games, bingo, coloring books, word searches, or other activities women and children may enjoy together.

Arrival Details: When you arrive at the shelter, go to the back door of the building to enter. When inside, go down stairs to the dining and kitchen area. In the dining area is where the hospitality activities will take place
Items for Volunteers to Bring: Please bring any of the following activity options:
– Arts and Crafts
– Board Games
– Coloring books and Crayons
– Bingo Cards and materials to play
Dress Code: None
Are Children Allowed? Yes (Children are welcome to help entertain other children staying at the shelter)
Shifts: 7pm-9pm

  • 15100 W 10 Mile Rd.
    Oak Park, MI 48237
  • Lead contact: brobinson@jslmi.org – 248-592-5068 (Beth Robinson)
  • Description of Agency: Jewish Senior Life is far more than a place to live. It’s 6 beautiful residences in 2 vibrant communities in southeast Michigan where bonds of friendship are built or renewed, and passions are pursued. It’s where residents actively engage with one another and, as a result, remain active in mind, body and spirit. And its where creative programs and services extend spiritual, social and cultural values of the Jewish tradition to residents, families and community members. JSL is a place where older adults can embrace life and community in a secure and supportive environment.
  • JSL is proud to provide inclusive residential communities. We welcome all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status and marital status.
  • Volunteer Project: Candle Lighting / singing / sharing holiday (Chanukah & Christmas) memories.

Arrival Details: Please go to the main entrance.
Background Check Required: Yes
Specific Skills: Comfortable leading songs
Children: Yes
Shifts: 4-5pm

  • 5601 Hatchery Rd.
    Waterford, MI 48329
  • Lead contact: lvachon@vorchardscotl.com (Liz Vachon)
  • Contact on December 25: First Floor Lease Staff- 248-462-5971
  • Description of Agency: Canterbury on the lake (DIFFERENT THAN CANTERBURY VILLAGE!!) is a retirement community. We are requesting that you visit the nursing home section of our community which is called “The Pavilion.” There are signs indicating where that entrance is located.
  • Volunteer Project: One-on-one visits with residents that agree. Just pop in and ask them if they would like to chat for a little while.

Arrival Details: Arrival times: morning 9:30am-noon and/or afternoon 2:00pm-5:00pm
Does not need to be both times.
Items Volunteers Need to Bring: Magazines or other types of conversation starters. Card games or checkers or chess as well, but not necessary.
Dress Code: Comfortable, but presentable.
Children: 18+
Shifts: 9:30am-12pm and/or 2-5pm.

  • 1235 Lawndale
    Detroit, MI 48209
  • Lead contact: 313-377-6674 (David McKay)
  • Description of Agency: Jimmy’s Kids Christmas Morning Program
  • Volunteer Project: Pick up bags of toys to deliver to families on Christmas morning.
    More info: http://jimtuman.com/jimmyskids/

Arrival Details: Vehicles will be directed around the church parking lot for pickups.
Items Volunteers Need to Bring: Happy holiday spirit along with any gifts they would like to distribute to the needy families they will be delivering to (not required).
Volunteers with Specific Skills: Bi-lingual (Spanish) but not required.
Children: Yes
Shifts: 9am-2pm

  • 249 Baldwin Ave
    Pontiac, Michigan 48342
  • Lead contact: Contact@HopeShelters.org
  • Description of Agency: HOPE provides safe and judgment-free shelter, innovative programs, and public advocacy to end homelessness. HOPE is committed to helping each guest resolve their homelessness and identify a network of supportive services delivered in a trauma-informed setting.
  • Volunteer Project: Mingle with guests and help serve food. There are games to play. BINGO is a fun activity. Dinner is served at 5:30 and 6:00. Help with this is appreciated.

Arrival Details: Please use the paved parking lot and the small deck at the rear of the building. A phone number is posted on that door. Please call the number to gain access.
Background Check Required: Yes
Dress Code: Casual
Children: No
Shifts: 2-6pm

  • 960 East Jefferson
    Detroit, MI 48236
  • Lead contact: Ajones323@yahoo.com -313-461-4696 (Anquenetta Jones)
  • Description of Agency: To educate, advocate, and promote healthy aging to enable people to make choices about home and community-based services and long-term care that will improve their quality of life.
  • Volunteer Project: Meal Delivery Driver-deliver 1 hot meal and 1 cold box to a route of 10 older adults in the Detroit Area. Turn-by-turn directions are provided.

Arrival Details: Please use the paved parking lot and the small deck at the rear of the building. A phone number is posted on that door. Please call the number to gain access.
Background Check Required: Yes
Dress Code: Casual
Children: No
Shifts: 2-6pm

  • Lead contact: jessicatierney@jarc.org – 248-940-2607 (Jessica Tierney)
  • Contact on December 25: Jacob Gottlieb – jacobgottlieb@jarc.org -248-940-2751
  • Description of Agency: JARC provides support services to enable adults with developmental disabilities to live full and meaningful lives.
  • Volunteer Project: Play some games, ideas can be provided prior, bake some cookies, hang out, and enjoy one another’s company.

Locations:

  • Meadow (Huntington Woods, please call for address)
  • Katzman Home (West Bloomfield, please call for address)
  • Keller/Walch Home (Farmington Hills, please call for address)
  • Pitt Home (Bloomfield Hills, please call for address)

Arrival Details: Park on the street.
Background Check Required: No
Items Volunteers Need to Bring: Possibly games, if volunteers have something facility does not have.
Children: 3+
Shifts: 10am-12pm

  • 6900 McGraw
    Detroit, MI 48210
  • Lead contact: volunteer@bridgingcommunties.org -313-361-6377 x109 (Alexis Escoto)
  • Description of Agency: We are a non-profit organization located in Southwest Detroit. Our main focus is to assist seniors staying in their home and also the surrounding community.
  • Volunteer Project: Volunteers will be picking up meals from the hosted site Bridging Communities and delivering the meals to homebound seniors on the route that will be given. DAAA will send BCI something within 7-10 days for background checks. Please make sure it is completed in a timely manner to ensure they are approved to participate.

Arrival Details: Volunteers should arrive at our office at 6900 McGraw at 9am. Come through the front door and we’ll get you signed in at the front desk and give you your route. Our goal is to have everyone on their way out between 9:30am and 10am.
Background Check Required: Yes
Items Volunteers Need to Bring: Each route should have 10 stops. Please bring 10 plastic grocery store bags with you if possible. Each client will receive one cold pack of food and one hot pack, putting them in a bag together will make delivery easier.
Children: Yes, but must accompany an adult.
Shifts: 9-11am