For my mitzvah project, I have been and will continue on volunteering at Birthday Wishes: a charity that brings birthday parties to homeless families/children. I currently volunteer at a shelter called "Families in Transition" where families can stay anywhere from one day up to two years. Once a month there is a birthday party held for kids who had/will have their birthday in that month. The first time I signed up to volunteer, the party coordinator contacted me and asked if I could bring a craft, tablecloths, forks, and some other things. I agreed, more than willing to help. When I went to the party it was so fun and brought me so much joy, not only because I helped produce an awesome party, but also because these kids that are homeless and living in this shelter all had the biggest smiles on their faces and were having such a great time. When I got in the car and was driving home with my mom I said to her, "How are we going to top this next month? Did you see those kids' faces?" She responded with something like, "Alexa, you don't have to top this party, as long as you bring something for the kids to do, and put a smile on your face, the kids will have the same amount of fun as they did this time." I realized she was right and no matter what we did those kids would just be happy that new excitment was in their life. Also, all the kids parents were sitting around and talking to each other while watching their kids have a great time. After that first party, I realized my goal. Some people for their mitzvah project set a goal of how much money they are going to raise for a certain charity. Not me. My goal is that, no matter how many parties I volunteer at, I will make everybody in that room smile and maybe, just maybe, I will be able to get all the parents that bring their kids to forget, even just for a single moment, about their current situation, enjoy themselves, become a kid again and forget about all the trouble life is giving them.
-Alexa