30 | OCTOBER 12 • 2023 J
N
OUR COMMUNITY
W
ow, has it been a
busy start to the new
year! As we settle
into 5784, let’s focus on G’milut
Hasadim and perform commu-
nal acts of loving kindness to
help those in need. There are so
many ways to lend
your support.
As Oakland
County’s only
comprehensive
program for vic-
tims of domestic
violence and
sexual assault,
HAVEN provides
shelter, counseling, advocacy
and educational programming to
nearly 30,000 people each year.
On Oct. 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.,
volunteers are needed to help
get the facility grounds cleaned
up and ready for winter. Tasks
will include weeding, picking
up trash and garden clean up.
To sign up, email Kimberly at
kliepshutz@haven-oakland.org.
The Detroit Free Press
Marathon 2023 is looking for
500 volunteers on Oct. 15. They
accept individual volunteers
or larger groups that like to
volunteer together. The most
pressing volunteer needs are
for course monitor volunteers
in the downtown section of the
course from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. This
key position is responsible for
being the eyes and ears of the
U.S. side of the course on race
day. Monitors observe course
conditions, including runners,
spectators and traffic. Issues that
need attention are addressed by
the monitors or reported to the
proper race authority for reso-
lution.
An excellent group oppor-
tunity is at one of the Relay
Exchange locations. Volunteers
at those locations help relay
teams pass their timing belts
to the next runner and ensure
the relay team continues along
the course in a timely manner.
Individuals and/or groups can
sign up to register at freepmara-
thon.com/volunteer.
Join Hadassah Greater
Detroit in West Bloomfield to
create dolls for children and
patients in area hospitals and
agencies. Hadassah House’s front
room becomes a doll factory.
Volunteers cut out pattern pieces
for dolls and gowns, sew them
together, then dress and stuff
the dolls. Some get added hair
or hats. Most dolls do not have
faces so that children can create
them with markers. Medical per-
sonnel use IVs, dressings, splints
and casts on the dolls to show
children what’s going to happen
to them during their medical
procedures. The Doll Project is
open to partnering with other
Jewish groups for a community
service event. This is a great
community service project for
middle school and high school
students. Upcoming dates: Oct.
16 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. and Oct.
19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sign up
ongoing for all sessions at hadas-
sahmidwest.org/GDdoll.
ADL’s Walk Against Hate is
Oct. 22 at the Southfield Civic
Center. There is a great need
for volunteers to help in the fol-
lowing areas: registration, greet-
ers, check-in, along the walk
route and clean up. Registration
begins at noon and clean up
should be finished around 2:30
p.m. Students in need of com-
munity service hours are wel-
come. Interested volunteers can
email lbeier@adl.org to sign up.
Alana’s Foundation provides
influenza education and aware-
ness with a focus on offering
convenient and affordable flu
vaccination options. During flu
season, the organization hosts
flu vaccination clinics all around
the Metro Detroit area. There
is a need for volunteers to help
attendees input information on
mobile devices at the clinic sites.
If you would like to help, email
info@alanasfoundation.org.
Happy Paws Haven Co. is
a foster-based, no-kill animal
rescue in Royal Oak. The rescue
is looking for volunteers to do a
variety of tasks, many involving
interaction with the animals.
Hands-on options include
transporting animals to vet
appointments and helping with
new intakes. Virtual opportuni-
ties include helping with social
media, screening applications
and matching potential adopters
with dogs. Happy Paws Haven
Co. is also looking for volunteers
to assist with location donation
pickups. To learn more, visit
https://happypawshaven.pet/vol-
unteer-page.
Kids Kicking Cancer offers
evidence-based martial arts
therapy to kids while focusing
on pain and stress management
for pediatric patients, as well as
creating resilience and support
for otherwise healthy children.
Throughout the year, Kids
Start off your year by giving your time to a worthwhile cause.
Doing Mitzvahs in the New Year
Samantha
Foon
Contributing
Writer
CALLING VOLUNTEERS
Make dolls for ill
children with Hadassah.
Join Jewish
Family Service
Nov. 5 for this
year’s Fall Fix Up.