We had a chance to interview Lexi Zisselman, a seventh grader from New Hyde Park, NY.
She is dedicating her Mitzvah Project to her grandfather Isaac who died from multiple myeloma, a cancer in the body’s blood plasma cells.
So when Lexi, an accomplished soccer player who currently plays for the Albertson Fury soccer team of the Albertson Soccer Academy, was considering what to do for her Bat Mitzvah project decided to honor the memory of her late grandfather with a Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation fundraiser called Kick For-A-Cure.
Kick For-A-Cure will challenge both soccer players and non-players to take two penalty shots at goalkeepers in the Hofstra University Bubble on Saturday, Feb. 22 between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. in a fundraising event that offers a 32-inch flat screen TV, an iPad Mini and a pizza party for 20 people as possible prizes for those who take a shot for a great cause.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
LZ: I was taught from a young age that it is good to help others. Having a Bat Mitzvah is more than just a party so I wanted to do something special. My father runs a Charity Event in NYC every year so I decided to follow his lead.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
LZ:Kick For-A-Cure will challenge both soccer players and non-players to take two penalty shots at goalkeepers in the Hofstra University Bubble on Saturday, Feb. 22 between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Each kid from ages 6-19 years old will take two (2) soccer penalty shots on a goalie–cost is $10.00. Depending on if they score 0, 1 or 2 goals they will receive a ticket and be entered into a drawing for a great prizes. We have some awesome sponsors who have donated a 32” flat screen TV, iPad Mini and pizza party for 20 kids. Plus, Puma has donated soccer balls to all of the kids who attend. My goal of the event is to raise $10,000.
MM: Does your project have a start and end date?
LZ: Donations will be thru February 22, 2014.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
LZ: I wanted to honor my grandfather, Isaac, who died of multiple myeloma at a young age. I play soccer for the Albertson Fury and thought it would be fun to have a soccer charity event in his honor.
MM: What are you doing to spreading the word?
LZ: We had a few newspapers write articles about the Event and are having an e-mail campaign by the Long Island soccer clubs.
We thank Lexi and her family for sharing this great Mitzvah project with our readers and we wish her good luck on February 22nd. Please join them if you live on Long Island.
For more information about the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation go to their website at www.themmrf.org.
