Something Extra

Doer Profile

TOVA GARDIN

City: Southfield
Kudos: "Kids Kicking Cancer" Teen Volunteer

While many high school seniors are trying on caps
and gowns or prom dresses, Tova Gardin, 16, of the
Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit is busy
ou t fitting stuffed bears with karate uniforms for a
very good cause.
Tova is a volunteer intern for Kids Kicking Cancer,
a program that uses martial arts to empower children
with cancer. She has been instrumental in putting
together the Karate-Bear Extravaganza event on June
16, where participants will build bears to donate to
young cancer patients. Tova created the promotional
materials and helped contact schools and organiza-
tions.
Tova's mother is Dr. Susan K Gardin, national
program director for Kids Kicking Cancer. Tova has
two siblings: Adam, 19, a student at the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor, and Margot, 13, who
attends Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield.

How did the Karate Bear idea evolve?
"Several months ago, two karate bears were
donated to two kids in the program who absolutely
adored them. I thought it would be great to expand
this into a larger event.

What inspired your internship?
"The program struck a chord in me. It empha-
sizes personal power and control — something I've
always believed in — dealing with life based on
whom you are inside, not on your circumstances."

What have you learned?
"My ability to deal with obstacles in my own
life has been strengthened through the incredible
resolve of these kids. On a more technical level,
Cindy [Cohen, director of family services] and my
morn have taught me so much about planning
events and pulling everything together."

What are your plans after graduation?
"I'm going to Israel for a year to study at
Midreshet Tehilla. Then, I'm planning to attend
Brandeis University. After that, I would like to use
what I've learned to contribute to the society that
has given me so much. At the end of each day, I
want to know that I've been the best person I can
be and that I've changed the life of at least one
person for the better." El

Karate-Bear Extravaganza will be held 4-8 p.m.
June 16, at the Build-a-Bear workshop in the
Somerset Collection in Troy. $50 pledge-donation per
karate bear. Walk-ins welcome. For information, call
(313) 557-0021.

— Ronelle Grier, special writer

REPORT A DOER... Know a Doer — someone of any age doing interesting, meaningful things in their life outside of their job? Share suggestions with Ken Guten Cohen, story
development editor, at (248) 351-5144 or e-mail: kcohen@thejewishnews.com

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