My first Mitzvah Day
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
Staff Writer
"But it's Sunday," I groaned as my highly annoying alarm clock resounded in my ear early Sunday morning. Even my cat seemed upset by the rude awakening on a day I typically reserve for my favorite hobby - sleeping.
However, it was no ordinary Sunday. It was Mitzvah Day.
I had never heard of Mitzvah Day before and when it was brought to my attention a couple of months ago, I was intrigued. An organized community service day? Well, I never.
So, despite the desire to roll over and go back to sleep, I got out of bed and got ready for my first Mitzvah Day.
My project for the day was to help out at the Arizona Animal Welfare League, the largest no-kill animal shelter in the state. As a big proponent of all causes related to animals, I felt this was the appropriate project for me.
Not only was I going to participate in the project, but I was also the project leader. Imagine my surprise when I received the call from the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, asking if I would be interested. Of course I would be.
I got to the shelter around 8 a.m. I was rather early, but was hoping to maybe get a head start on things (always the go-getter, I am). Alas, that would not be the case.
Finally, at just past 9 a.m., my staff liaison from the shelter approached me and introduced herself. We chatted while we waited for the other Mitzvah Day participants.
Half an hour later, two people had shown up. I was expecting at least seven, so imagine my dismay at having only three volunteers, including myself.
Luckily, there were two other volunteers from Arizona State University who had come to the shelter to perform community service for scholarships. My Mitzvah Day volunteers, Terry and Jamie Leibovitz, a mother-daughter team, tackled pots of geraniums while the ASU students and myself went to paint the men's room.
Though it was rather cold and wet, everyone seemed to have a good time. We got to go through and look at all the animals - how I walked out without adopting one I will never know - and learned about some of the other things the shelter does, such as pet training.
As a first time Mitzvah Day volunteer, I can honestly say that I had a good time. The idea of helping someone out, at no benefit to myself - I mean, I didn't get to lie around all day, plus I didn't get to buy the dog I really wanted - is something that I can really get behind. Why not give back to the community? Why not help out a cause that is important to you? Technically speaking, I got nothing out of it.
Except, that is, the knowledge that I helped. And that, my friends, is what Mitzvah Day is all about.
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