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.

