Mitzvah Day ’97 Events Scheduled in Valley Area
About 3,000 volunteers are expected to participate today in Mitzvah Day ‘97, a time set aside for community service in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Antelope, Conejo and Simi valleys.
The daylong event, sponsored by the Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance, a Jewish community service organization based in West Hills, will involve 37 synagogues and organizations from throughout the valleys performing 100 service projects.
“Mitzvah Day is the active expression of one of Judaism’s core values--tikkun olam--literally, ‘repairing our world,’ ” said Barbara Creme, an event organizer. “It is a day that unifies and motivates our diverse Jewish community, kindling the spark of pleasure ignited by personal involvement in the community.”
To commemorate the day, volunteers will plant 100 trees at Lake Balboa Park in Encino, serve dinner to 100 underprivileged children at the Guadalupe Community Center in Canoga Park and donate 300 photo albums and disposable cameras to foster children to create memory books.
Groups will also refurbish wheelchairs and walkers for children in Third World nations, clean up trails in the Santa Monica Mountains and participate in a swim-a-thon to benefit AIDS, cancer and juvenile diabetes charitable organizations, among other efforts.
Founded in 1995 by the Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance, the event has grown from 25 organizations completing 70 projects in 1996 to its current level of participation, Creme said.
Organizers said they hope Mitzvah Day ’97 will serve as a springboard for more community involvement throughout the year.
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