Good Deeds Day 2019

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     Agudas Achim is celebrating our Third Annual International Good Deeds Day alongside Jews across 93 countries worldwide. We have put together a group of tikkun olam activities that promote acts of kindness and appeal to congregants of all ages and abilities. 
     The entire AAC Community is invited to join us in any of the activities described below.  Read through the opportunities and then click here to sign-up.

Opportunities

1) Home repair for a low income family:  
     Once again, we are  joining with Congregation Etz Chaim to work with Yachad, a Jewish service organization that partners with congregations to help preserve affordable housing by bringing together crews of volunteers to repair the home of a low income or disabled family in Washington, DC or Prince Georges county.  Each congregation has committed to providing at least ten volunteers (anyone age 15+ can help). No previous home repair experience or skill is required! Click here for information about the project and instructions. Project leader: Howard Frank

2)  Playground mulch refresh and children’s activities for Alive Child Development Center: 
      As we did last year, we are volunteering to assist the ALIVE Child Development Center. The center provides child care and preschool to low income families in Alexandria.
     Tasks will be include filling in erosion spots and flipping/refreshing the mulch on the playground.  Please bring metal rakes and yard gloves are recommended. If you can bring a wheelbarrow, let the project leader, Barbara Fiedler know.  Children ages 4 and up are welcome and will help the Center staff make and hang wind chimes for the preschool. Project leader: Barbara Fiedler

3)  Young families visiting homebound congregants: 
     Young families will make get well cards to cheer up sick and homebound congregants. 10-12 a.m. in the social hall.  Project leader:  Hannah Kraushaar

4)  Knitting and Crocheting for babies and children at Fairfax Children's Hospital :
     Calling all needleworkers to join together from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the lobby to knit or crochet blankets and hats for babies in the NICU and children in the cancer ward at Fairfax Children’s Hospital. Patterns will be available. Project leaders: Patti Rounsevell and Andi Bregstone

5)  Four Mile Run Stream Cleanup:  
     Once again, we are joining with Congregation Kol Ami and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment to clean up a portion of Four Mile Run. Wear clothes that can get dirty. All supplies will be provided and congregants of all ages are encouraged to participate. Time: 12:20 - 2:30. p.m. Project leader:  Jay Berman.

Sign up for any of the above projects by clicking here.

Agudas Teens helping at DC Central Kitchen:

       Work with DC Central Kitchen staff to cut, chop, peel and prep food in their kitchen to prepare meals for the hungry– no cooking or food service experience required! (9:00 a.m. - noon). This project is limited to Agudas teens and their parents. Registration closes on March 25. No exceptions. Contact Rachel Albert to sign up for this project at thealberts1@me.com

Religious School:

     Please join the Agudas Achim religious school for Good Deed's Day on April 7. Through the morning, the students will be participating in a variety of Good Deeds Day activities, including:

• Creating a banner to welcome friends and visitors to AAC
• Making signs for their homes, welcoming friends and neighbors in a variety of languages
• Learning about refugee stories from around the world through our "wax museum," featuring live "wax actors" (volunteers) telling their stories
• Painting rocks with friendship and kindness themes, to be left in nature for others to find their "random acts of kindness" and brighten their day

     We need YOUR help to make Good Deeds Day a success in the religious school! Please sign up for a volunteer slot and tell us what activities you're most interested in. 

Collections:

     We are collecting the following essential items. Look for the boxes in the lobby.

• Feminine hygiene products for Guest House (transitional housing for women leaving prison)
• Diapers for the DC Diaper Bank
• Art supplies for children in the hospital
• New and gently used pots, pans, and kitchen utensils for adults moving into transitional housing from homelessness

     We look forward to seeing you at Good Deeds Day.  We hope to make this year's event even more successful than last year.  If you have any questions, please contact one of us.

Thank you,

Barbara Elkin
Esther Miller
Co-chairs, 2019 Agudas Achim International Good Deeds Day