Getting more than a shekel’s worth

Posted in 2011 - 2012, Participant Stories, Uncategorized, Volunteering on 18. Dec, 2011

בס”ד

by Ariella Daniels, Toronto, Canada

Today we had the opportunity to volunteer for a couple of hours at an organization called Shekel- Community Services for People with Special Needs.  This organization provides workshops for adults with slight special needs. Some of the activities include candle making, sewing, graphic design, and soap-making.

 Even though the work involved may appear repetitive and tedious, it was not noticeable because we were constantly active and around many people.  It was a lot of fun meeting new people, including some Israelis who are still in high school.  The volunteering involves physical work which helps develop one’s motor skills like putting things together, packing, stacking and screwing.  My fellow chanichim and I shared smiles and laughs with the adults we were helping and it felt really good to work together with them, something we cannot necessarily get in a classroom.

 It was so nice to know that this organization provides services for adults who have special needs, giving them some sort of income and something productive to do.  It gives me such pride to see the State of Israel provide such an important organization such as Shekel, and to have the opportunity to contribute to this organization through volunteering on Shalem.