Norwood got involved with Mitzvah Day this year and worked with volunteers to participate in a variety of projects. The volunteers gave a day of their time to do good deeds to benefit the children, families and adults, coping with disabilities and social disadvantage that Norwood supports, from the Jewish community and beyond. Children from the Edgware Reform Synagogue and from King Solomon High School, as well as adults from the Oxford Jewish Congregation worked hard to do Mitzvahs for Norwood.
View more photos from Mitzvah Day
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, sent a personal message to all those involved in Mitzvah Day. He said, “Get involved - that's the message of Mitzvah Day, when Londoners from all walks of life and backgrounds give some time to help a whole host of charities. To everyone that has taken part and given their time, fantastic job!”
Norwood’s Mitzvah Day projects included:
• Creating artwork to decorate Norwood’s Leonard Sainer Children & Family Centre. Students at King Solomon High School will get creative to make the Centre an even nicer place to visit for the children and adults who attend Norwood’s play schemes, support groups and social activities.
• Donating gifts to a Chanukah party for children who attend Unity, Norwood’s recreational, play and youth service for children with disabilities. The Oxford Jewish Congregation donated gifts to children who attend our Unity after-school clubs, play schemes and residential holidays.
• Making Chanukah cards for Norwood residents. Children from the Edgware Reform Synagogue Cheder made Chanukah cards for adults with learning disabilities who live in Norwood’s residential homes and will be attending the Norwood Chanukah Party.
• Donating goods to the Norwood charity shops. Children from Edgware Reform Synagogue brought items to be donated and sold in Norwood’s charity shops and will learn about the importance of helping others.
• Cleaning toys at Norwood’s Kennedy Leigh Children & Family Centre and Pears Wing. Children from the Edgware Reform Synagogue cleaned the toys at the Centre for children who visit the Unity play schemes and Integrated Nursery.
• Visiting Norwood’s Buckets & Spades Respite Care Centre. Children from the Edgware Reform Synagogue will be visited and entertained children with disabilities at the short break centre in Finchley, and also gave the equipment a good clean.
View more photos from Mitzvah Day
The six Norwood projects were among approximately 230 being organised nationally, and around 11,000 volunteers around the world took part in Mitzvah Day.
Norwood’s Head of Volunteering Services, Stuart Chadbourne, says: “Mitzvah Day is all about giving our time. It’s amazing what a difference we make to someone else by donating just a few hours and I’d like to thank the children from Edgware Reform Synagogue, King Soloman School as well as the Oxford Jewish Community for their support on Mitzvah Day.
“Norwood has over 700 volunteers who work hard all year round doing wonderful deeds to support the children and adults with disabilities and coping with social disadvantage who rely on Norwood’s services.”
Click here to visit the Norwood volunteers page on our web site or call our Volunteering Services Administrator on 020 8420 6926, or e-mail volunteers@norwood.org.uk to find out how to get involved with volunteering at Norwood.
For further information, photos and interviews, please contact Michael Siva, Public Relations Officer at Norwood, on 020 8420 6900 or email pressoffice@norwood.org.uk.
