With the New Year just a few weeks away, you may be taking a personal inventory. Smile on Seniors hopes your personal inventory causes you to decide you want to do more to help others.
SOS matches Valley seniors with volunteers who care about enriching the quality of Valley seniors’ lives through weekly or bi-weekly visits. Rabbi Levi Levertov of Chabad Lubavitch of Arizona says the program serves more than 300 seniors with 30 volunteers – and both numbers continue to grow.
Volunteers get just as much out of the program as the seniors do, according to Levertov. Friendships develop and the seniors have a lot of knowledge to share. Parents who bring their children along on visits bring additional joy to seniors who delight in having youngsters around.
Now beginning its third year, SOS has added even more value and joy to the lives of seniors with new programs. Programs and services include: “It’s Your Birthday,” Shabbat in a Box, Friday Shabbat services and workshops.
The “It’s Your Birthday” program is one favorite of seniors. Volunteers take an entire party to the senior’s home and celebrate with them. The celebration includes cupcakes and gift bags full of goodies.
Levertov says that seniors who are able to get out and about can enjoy programs at the Chabad Jewish Center on Lincoln Drive. The center offers onsite programs such as Shabbat dinners, Model Matzah Bakery, Sukkot party and a Purim party.
Seniors Avis and Ed wrote the following to Leverton: “Thank you so much for providing this opportunity to celebrate Shabbat and enjoy a wonderful dinner with other seniors in the Phoenix community.”
There are several ways to help. Volunteers may sign up for weekly or biweekly visits to seniors’ homes or help with programs and preparations. Financial contributions cover the costs of the many programs that benefit seniors. Smile on Seniors is a nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. G-d willing, we will all be seniors someday, and an act of kindness you show today may come back to shine upon you in your own senior years.
_____________________________
Smile on a Senior High Holiday workshops for seniors and volunteers:
Rosh Hashanah
For the New Year, seniors can come to one of several participating facilities to design a “Happy New Year card,” while sharing the customs and lore of the Jewish High Holiday season. This workshop is offered Sept. 12 at Jewish Family and Children’s Services center, located in Chris Ridge Village. Call 602-492-7670 for more information.
High Holiday Volunteer Program
At the High Holiday Volunteer Program volunteers can enjoy the honey-cake baking workshop. Volunteers will take one succulent cake home and deliver the second to a senior buddy.
This workshop will be held at 7:30 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 11 in a private home in Phoenix.
Sukkot Holiday Festival
Join Smile on a Senior in their large Sukkah and celebrate with friends and family. Enjoy snacks and the opportunity to fulfill the special mitzvot performed on the Sukkot Holiday. This event will take place at 10:30 am, Friday, Oct. 5 at the Chabad Jewish Center, 2110 E Lincoln Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85016. This program is open to all seniors, participating facility groups, seniors, volunteers and their families.
For more information or to reserve a space for any of these SOS programs, call 602-492-7670 or email [email protected].
