For the approximately 300 high school students at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls (SKA), this High Holiday season was filled with experiences aimed at their understanding of how important good deeds, or Mitzvot, and acts of charity, or Tzedakah are in leading a good life. Looking out over what seemed like a sea of young women who filled the entire room, I suddenly became aware of how socially conscious a group this really is. I shouldn’t have been surprised, though. The Five Towns community on Long Island has had a long history with Gift of Life – a very dedicated corps of volunteers who have rallied and motivated family, friends and neighbors and who have held very successful recruitment drives. Many of these girls are the daughters of these Gift of Life supporters and have volunteered at drives themselves this past year.
Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky had initiated this event, and I must say that his warmth and good nature creates a positive and welcoming atmosphere that is emulated in the staff and students alike. He had seen first-hand the girls’ involvement in getting people to register the day of the Israel Day Parade in New York and at the recruitment drives held within the Five Towns. Rabbi Zak announced to the assembly of students that Gift of Life would be the recipient of their efforts during their tzedakah drive this year. That meant a lot to me. I realized even more what a really special place SKA is as I stood before this group and told my story. Afterward, I knew that a connection had been forged between Gift of Life and the SKA community because the students asked really great questions about joining the registry and becoming a donor.
To get the girls further engaged, I told them about Gift of Life’s “Pre-registration Program,” and asked that they join. To date, twenty SKA students have pre-registered with us and made the commitment to join the registry when they turn eighteen! Teenagers between the ages of 13 – 17 years old can pre-register online by going to the https://www.giftoflife.org/gol_preregister/ and filling out an online form. We’ll remind them that it’s time to swab as they approach their eighteenth birthday and then they can make a conscious decision to officially join the registry and make a difference by being counted as a donor!
I am happy to report that the students of SKA had a really successful tzedakah drive! They have raised over $7,500 which is pretty awesome because it will benefit our recruitment efforts and test 139 of the kits that are currently on our waiting list. A donor circle will be established in SKA’s name so that they can experience first-hand the progress that their contribution will make. Every time one of the donors assigned to their circle is called for confirmatory typing, or actually results in a transplant, they will receive an e-mail from us to let them know. Their act of kindness will make a difference in patients’ lives for a long time to come.
Finally, a reminder that there is just one week left of voting in the Jewish Community Hero Award contest. Gift of Life deserves to win this award not only for the recognition, but for all the patients we can help with the $25,000 grant. Thank you to all of you who have supported me and Gift of Life by voting. Together, we can keep up the momentum by clicking this link http://bit.ly/voteforjay and continuing to vote daily until October 8th, and don’t forget to pass along the link to family and friends to remind them to vote as well. Every vote counts and I appreciate every last vote of confidence that you have given me!
