32 | AUGUST 15 • 2024 

A

s I write this month’s 
column, I’m deeply 
invested in the Olympics, 
cheering on both the American and 
Israeli teams. I am so impressed 
and amazed by the dedication and 
talent exhibited by 
these athletes every 
single day. As a Jewish 
people, we are taught 
to dedicate ourselves 
to repairing the world, 
aka tikkun olam. As 
volunteers, we can 
find ways to combine 
our personal interests and our 
desire to repair the world. Read on 
to find out how.
The mission of Special Olympics 
is to provide year-round sports 
training and athletic competition 
in a variety of Olympic-type sports 

for all children and adults with 
intellectual disabilities. Athletes 
are given continuing opportunities 
to develop physical fitness and 
athletic skill, demonstrate courage, 
experience joy, and participate 
in a sharing of gifts, skills and 
friendship with their families, 
other Special Olympics athletes and 
the community. Special Olympics 
Michigan offers state-level events 
throughout the year. State-level 
events are always in need of 
individuals and groups to help with 
various jobs, including serving 
food, keeping score, officiating and 
many others. Upcoming events 
include the State Softball Finals on 
Aug. 23 in Canton and the State 
Fall Games in September. Visit 
somi.org/volunteer to learn more 
about available opportunities.

Metro Food Rescue rescues food 
that would otherwise be discarded 
and delivers it to a network of food 
pantries, thereby helping to feed 
individuals and families in need. 
They have trucks on the road six 
days a week, picking up food from 
27 locations and dropping it off, 
in partnership with more than 50 
partner food banks. Metro Food 
Rescue is actively looking for 
volunteers to pick up food from 
a variety of sources and deliver it 
to their network of food pantries. 
There are one-time, weekly and 
more frequent opportunities. All 
someone needs is a car/SUV and 
the desire to get perfectly good 
food to those in need. To sign up, 
visit metrofoodrescue.com. 
In preparation for the High 
Holidays, help the Jewish 

community of Lviv, Ukraine, by 
donating your gently used kippot 
and tallitot at Temple Israel. 
Drop off your donations at the 
Tyner Entrance between Aug. 
12–Sept.12, after which they will 
be shipped to Lviv. Amid the 
war and devastation, let’s lift our 
Jewish brothers and sisters and 
help ensure a more meaningful and 
sacred High Holidays experience. 
Questions? Connect with Leah 
at Leah@temple-israel.org.
The Autism Hero Walk is 
Michigan’s largest gathering of the 
autism community to celebrate 
our everyday superheroes. This 
fundraiser benefits AAoM and 
includes full-day admission 
to the Detroit Zoo, an autism 
resource fair with 50+ vendors, 
an on-stage program, a united 

Opportunities abound for volunteers in the community.
Repairing the World

OUR COMMUNITY

Samantha 
Foon
Contributing 
Writer

