There are so many great organizations that would love to be the beneficiary of your child’s Mitzvah Project!
Today we wanted to tell you about the work of rock CAN roll.
rock CAN roll, Inc.,™ is a volunteer, non profit, hunger relief organization committed to restocking the dwindling shelves of local food pantries, soup kitchens, safe homes and shelters.
They coordinate events and create projects by collecting canned food (and other essential necessities) for men, women and children in need of assistance. They work together with schools, social groups, corporations, the arts and the music industry to collect and deliver much needed items to organizations (with no fee, no cost and no expense) that help people that lack food security and are in need of fundamental support.
Here is an example of how you can make your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah a “rockCANroll” event!
Lauren Dershowitz from Jericho, New York had her Bat Mitzvah in 2006 and teamed up with Aimee Holtzman from rock CAN roll.
Lauren Dershowitz
We asked her to explain further:
MM: How did you include rock CAN roll in your Bat Mitzvah celebration?
LD: With the invitation for my Bat Mitzvah, I sent a notice that I was collecting non-perishable foods for the organization called rock CAN roll, and I asked that my guests please bring a few donations. On the notice, there was also information about rock CAN roll and how you can do more to help the cause as well as the address of the website, www.rockCANroll.org.
I then continued to volunteer at rock CAN roll events. I believe that the first time I helped Aimee was at the Westbury Theatre, and a cover band of Pink Floyd was playing. We came two hours early, before the show started, to welcome the people attending the concert and tell them about rock CAN roll. And then something unexpected happened after the concert had started. Aimee told us that we could actually see the concert! I was very excited because Pink Floyd was (and still is) one of my favorite bands. It was just a very cool prop to add to the great feeling that I may have helped someone that night.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
LD: It meant a lot that I got to help support a friend who was just starting her organization, so I could help her get the name and message of rock CAN roll out to the world. Also, the fact that I helped collect a few cans for the hungry made me feel good, and like I made a difference in a few people’s lives. I’m proud to have a great friend like Aimee who only wants to help everyone she meets, and I am honored that she allows me to help in her pursuit of abolishing hunger on Long Island.
MM: If it involves a donation, how did you spread the word?
LD: I told my friends about the charity, and explained what the organization is and means to my chorus class, so they understood why they should bring cans of food to our concerts. I wear a sweatshirt that clearly advertises the information needed to help the cause, and I volunteer whenever I am needed and as much as I can.
For more information on rock CAN roll, please visit their Website.
