Sophia Benson of Goldens Bridge, New York is planning to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah October 11 – 12, 2015.
Her “Help Me Send a Kid to Camp” Mitzvah Project is through SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education).
This non-profit organization provides children in need the edge to succeed in life through the summer camp experience. They provide camp scholarships for children in need to attend overnight summer camps.
They are also very involved in helping with Mitzvah Projects allowing Bar and Bat Mitzvah students to be directly responsible for giving to kids who otherwise couldn’t afford the chance to experience the magic of camp.
Pictured left: Sophia with her family at the bake sale.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
SB: For my Mitzvah Project, I decided to try and raise money to send a child in need to sleepaway camp. I decided to make s’mores on a stick and sell them with drinks at my softball games.
Sophia with her s’mores on a stick
MM: Does your project have a start and end date, if so what are they?
SB: I started my Mitzvah Project in May and sold the s’mores at all the games over two days. The Website is still open for more donations. I have already reached my goal which was $1300 for two weeks of camp, but would like to get more!
Sophia surrounded by her teammates
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
SB: I want to be able to give a child in need the opportunity to go to sleepaway camp and have the summer of their lives. It is important for kids to go to sleepaway camp so they can make everlasting friendships, and experience some fun, new activities. My camp, Camp Kinder Ring, means the world to me and I would love for someone else to have that experience as well. Camp is so special to me because every year I make so many new friends – it’s like magic. My hope is that other kids get to experience the greatness of camp through the help of my Mitzvah Project.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bat Mitzvah?
SB: To me it means to do something to help others. I feel so grateful I will be able to make someone else feel good and have fun because of my project.
MM: If it involves a donation, what are you doing to spreading the word:
SB: I have been telling my friends and family about the SCOPE site which is where people can donate online.
Sophia and her friends made huge posters and posted information on Instagram to get people to come to her games to purchase the s’mores
MM: For how long can people donate to this charity?
SB: You can donate to SCOPE at any time!
For more information about SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) or call them at 646-278-4558.
We thank Sophia for sharing her Mitzvah Project with our Mitzvah Market readers.
