Gift of Life Ambassadors in the Greater Boston area, in association with local synagogues and day schools, are promoting the Mitzvah Project, a Swab a Cheek Save a Life initiative, for middle-school age children who need to complete a mitzvah project leading up to their B’nai Mitzvah.  This creative and innovative program conceived by transplant recipient, Evie Goldfine, is seen as an investment in the future and designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in the Jewish community as well as improve Gift of Life’s visibility in the overall community.  “Our young people are our future leaders, “stated Evie, “and it is important to connect them to social causes in their formative years.  The skills and knowledge they will gain will serve them throughout their lifetime.”

 

Some of the Ambassadors are bone marrow donors and others have just been inspired by the amazing life-saving work of Gift of Life.  The volunteers will be working with Jewish day schools and supplementary Hebrew schools to educate students about Gift of Life and its life-saving mission.  Among the goals of the Mitzvah Project is to engage students as early as junior high school and continue through their college careers and ultimately enrich their adult lives through corporate and community involvement and a lifetime of social activism.  Additionally, the intent is to increase awareness of their Jewish heritage and Jewish values, teach leadership and life skills, and expand the number of potential bone marrow donors in the Gift of Life registry and save lives.  By working on the project, students will hone their organizational skills, learn how to prepare a formal presentation, create and distribute marketing materials, and coordinate a community event, all of which are life skills that will benefit the students in all future endeavors.

 

When asked why he was participating in the Mitzvah Project, Alex Helfand said, “My experience as a donor was positive.  Volunteering for this program enables Gift of Life to accomplish its vision of expanding the registry.  This allows me the opportunity to help prepare our young people to become involved with an outstanding organization.”

 

Evie Goldfine feels this program can be easily duplicated in any city across the country.  The Gift of Life stands ready to offer guidance and materials to communities wishing to replicate the project.  To learn more about Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation and the Mitzvah Project, please contact Susan Greenspan at 561-982-2900 or sgreenspan@giftoflife.org.