May 26th, 2010
Hi all!
The Vatske family from Long Island planned a fun candy themed Bat Mitzvah in honor of their daughter Marin on September 26, 2009. The service was held at the family’s synagogue, Temple Beth Sholom in Smithtown, New York with a Saturday night reception at the Hamlet Willow Creek in Mt. Sinai, New York.
Mom Tara was the party planner for her daughter’s Mitzvah, a daunting task, but with lots of creativity, attention to detail and the use of the internet she was able to find some fabulous cost savings ideas and created a beautiful and unique party for her friends and family.
We would like to thank the Vatske family for sharing their ideas with Mitzvah Market!
Party photography was done by Classy Candids. All vendor information is at the bottom.
Pictured from left to right: Brother Ethan, Mom Tara, Bat Mitzvah girl Marin and Dad Bruce.
Mitzvah Mom Tara and daughter Marin both look beautiful in their gowns from Magic Moments. Dad Bruce and brother Ethan look equally dashing in their tuxedos from Rogers Tuxedo.
The beautiful invitation is from Sealed with a Kiss.
The front of the invitation had this beautiful bow
The invitation featured lime green and chocolate brown colors
Marin’s reception took place at the Willow Creek Hamlet Golf & Country Club. Mom Tara raved about Catering Manager Barbara!
Willow Creek Hamlet Golf & Country Club
Shown below are some of the various ways Mitzvah Mom Tara incorporated the candy theme into the party. She created the place cards herself and purchased the supplies from Michael’s Arts & Craft’s. Each card featured a piece of candy which represented the table guests would be seated at. The place card also said the name of the candy.
The place cards are ready for the party!
All of the kid’s tables were M&M’s. Five of the kid’s tables were represented by silver, brown, light pink, dark pink and white M&M’s. Marin’s table had 3 colors. Each adult table were represented by a different pink candy
She created this map to show guests where their tables were located. The map was displayed on an easel next to the card table
Mom Tara created sign-in cards which were placed into a scrapbook after the party
A sample card from the “scrapbook”
Tara also made the picture montage of Marin which was displayed at the reception
The ballroom all dressed and ready for a party!
Centerpiece bases filled with candy
Each table was named after a candy
Vases filled with silver foiled Hershey candy kisses completed the candy theme! The pink candy (Good and Plenty, Laffy Taffy, Jelly Beans, Chocolate Balls etc.) in the middle represented the table
The entertainment and music was provided by Party Harty with Howie as the MC.
Bat Mitzvah girl Marin and brother Ethan up on stage with the dancers
Marin enjoying herself in the middle of all the action…
With a little help from her Mom, Marin made a quick change from her Bat Mitzvah service and cocktail hour dress into her beautiful blue gown
Dessert was really sweet and included this beautiful topsy-turvy chocolate brown and pink cake created by the Rolling Pin Bakery. All candy on the candy bar went with the color scheme and was pink, brown and silver.
Once again Mom Tara got her creative juices flowing and made the pink labels on the chocolate brown Chinese takeout food favor boxes which read, “Sweet Dreams” and “Hugs and kisses from Marin” with the date.
Tara purchased all of the favor bags, gift tags, crinkle paper and Chinese food takeout containers (for candy) from samplehousecatalog.com. She also ordered all the labels which were used for favor bags, gift tags, hotel bags and water bottles (for adults) from onlinelabels.com.
The cake looks too good to eat!
Looks like Marin wants the fabulous candy bar all to herself!
The Vatske’s offered many unique candy themed favors to their guests.
Sweatshirts with Marin’s candy theme above and below…
The back of the sweatshirt listed songs that were also on a CD which was given to guests as they left
Adorable personalized “Candy Torahs” made with sweet tarts
Each guest also received a “candy quiz” with their favor bag with questions like:
1) A long race? Answer = Marathon Bar
2) Andy Pettite and Joba Chamberlain live here on game days? Answer = Mounds
3) Dustin Hoffman somersaults? Answer = Tootsie Rolls
As if that wasn’t enough, guests were given toothbrushes of course – with a note from Marin “Don’t forget to brush!”
Marin gave each guest a CD to listen to on the way home. The first track was a message from Marin recorded at the Vatske home using Garage Band on the Mac. She thanked everyone for coming and sharing this special occasion with her. Marin “signed off” by saying “Good night, sweet dreams and “chocolate hugs and kisses.”
Marin and her dad enjoying some alone time.
Marin loved taking a picture with her Dad in the golf cart before the party started
Tara and Marin wore another version of their candy theme at a brunch the day after her Bat Mitzvah. These were given to them by Tara’s best friend Beth
For Marin’s Mitzvah Project, she collected food for the food pantry at her temple. She created a sheet attached to large paper grocery bags for placement on pews during Rosh Hashanah (her Bat Mitzvah was Shabbat Shuvah). She also asked each guest to bring an item to the temple or party location.
We asked Mom Tara for some advice now that the planning is behind her. This is what she told us, “Since you want your friends/family to remember this event, concentrate on the entertainment and special touches. Ask yourself these questions, “Will “x” be missed if we don’t do it?” “Is it something everyone will really remember?” “Does it make a difference?” If you can – enlist a friend to help with some items if you are doing it yourself like rolling up sweatshirts, glue gunning items, bringing things to location, etc. Beth was a godsend!”
Here is a list of the Mitzvah vendors who helped make Marin’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: Hamlet Willow Creek, 631-474-9200
DJ/MC: Party Harty 516-845-8585
Party entertainment: Photos – That’s Entertainment Concepts, (through Party Harty) 516-845-8585
Invitation: Sealed with a Kiss 516-921-7227
Cake: Rolling Pin Bakery 631-689-2253
Photographer: Classy Candids 516- 777-3337
Décor/florist: Bayport Flower House 631-472-0014
Sweatshirts: Schwabs 2nd wind Screen Printing 631-331-4532
Toothbrushes: Dr. Ross Gruber 631- 289-9000
Candy Torahs: CandyTorah.com 800-965-6652
Favor Bags/Chinese take-out boxes: samplehousecatalog.com
Labels for everything: onlinelabels.com
Dresses for family members: Magic Moments 631-474-2647
Suits for family members: Tuxedos from Rogers Tuxedo 631-467-1177
Hair: Sivana Salon 631-584-2408
Makeup: Dana Curtin 631-767-3050
May 25th, 2010
Hi All!
The Morris Family had their daughter Beckett’s Bat Mitzvah on March 27, 2010. After services at Woodlands Community Temple in White Plains, New York they held a luncheon for 130 friends and family at Half Moon Restaurant in Dobbs Ferry, New York.
The theme was their family’s favorite vacation spot, Long Beach Island, New Jersey. The idea was to have the event feel casual and warm – like your favorite clam shack at the beach – only this time the restaurant would be filled with everyone they loved. They are foodies, and serving a wonderful meal was a priority. Photographer Margaret Fox captured this family’s spirit perfectly. All vendor information is listed below.
Pictured left to right: Mitzvah Dad Alan, Mitzvah Mom Bonnie, Bat Mitzvah girl Beckett and big sister Juliet.
Multi-colored and oversized, the invitation set the tone for the party – casual, fun and colorful.
Even their selection of stamps had that beachy feel
Half Moon Restaurant is situated on the Hudson River, and on a clear day it has views of the Tappan Zee Bridge to the north and the George Washington Bridge and chunks of Manhattan to the south. They got very lucky and had brilliantly blue skies the day of Beckett’s Bat Mitzvah.
Half Moon’s beautiful views!
Beckett lets her personality show!
To bring their beach theme to life, Daniel Florals and Events worked with Mitzvah Mom Bonnie and daughter Beckett to create that summer environment that spilled right onto their guests tables!
Centerpieces were simple – on the adult side of the room, anodized aluminum beach buckets were bursting with muted flowers and beach grasses
The adult tables also had craft paper runners strewed with beach glass and sea shells with a little crab hanging onto each bucket for dear life!
The kids’ centerpieces were jaunty gerbera daisies nestled in buckets filled with sand
A kite and beach ball centerpiece on the bar added to the laid-back/beach decor
With Rooney Tunes Entertainment providing the music and Joe as the MC, the crowd had a ball.
Mitzvah Mom Bonnie has this advice for our Mitzvah Market readers. She says, “I didn’t have a party-planner so it came down to me to manage all these details, to record them on paper for my Vendors and to review everything with them in advance (and twice) prior to the event.” She then suggests, “Create a day-of-event contact sheet and keep it with you. Another must-do: Give the DJ a song list you love well in advance; make sure your photographer is equipped with a shot list sheet; think through and plan the event flow until it feels right. Then, write it down.” Thanks Bonnie, great advice!
The party favors were t-shirts featuring a logo you see at any souvenir shop at the beach (but with Beckett’s ID) and personalized sea shells for each child.
The shells also served as place cards and were created by Bonnie’s Mom Gerri Rothman, the founder of “To Coin A Phrase,” a highly-regarded social stationery and invitation line which she founded in 1974 and sold in 1990. The place cards were clam shells that she shellacked, edged with gold and personalized with pearls and glitter dust.
The sign-in board was stocked with postcards from Long Beach Island, and guests were encouraged to “Drop Beckett a Line” by signing a postcard and dropping it into a red crab trap (complete with a big old crab).
The highlight of the party wasn’t beach-themed, it was the video montage “The Real Bat Mitzvah of Westchester County.” Shot in the style of the Bravo show, it told the story of how Beckett was so focused on her Bat Mitzvah studies, she couldn’t do much of anything else. Beckett’s Dad is a professional video editor and he directed and produced the montage.
Beckett and her friends getting a kick out of the montage
To go with the simple beachy theme, Martine’s Fine Bakery designed a big fun, colorful cake decorated with beach balls and flip flops and topped with a big yellow boogie board. Most of all, they wanted the cake to taste delicious. No fondant, all butter cream. They served a vanilla cake with butter cream icing and chocolate ganache filling. Fun and yummy!!!
The cake was topped by a giant yellow boogie board – the color of Beckett’s board.
My husband and I both really loved being involved in the Bat Mitzvah prep at the temple. We participated in Torah study and talked to the girls about what becoming a Bat Mitzvah means. We also got to know our Cantor and Rabbi a little better, which connected us to the day even more. Even with all the excitement around the party planning in the house, we tried to stay focused on the service because it’s an incredible and monumental moment in a family’s life.
Beckett loves to cook and bake, and she wanted to incorporate her hobby with her Mitzvah Project. She got involved in the Domestic Abuse Task Force at their temple, which helps settle families who have suffered from domestic abuse from shelters into permanent housing.
To make one new family feel welcome in their new home, Beckett purchased baking supplies – from rolling pins to baking sheets to flour – for the family. She wrote up a few of her favorite recipes and baked a batch of brownies. Then, she delivered the supplies and goodies to the family a week after they had moved into their new apartment and just in time for the holidays. She will continue to donate her time to the task force when she enters our temple’s Academy program next year.
Here is a list of the Mitzvah Vendors who helped make Beckett’s Bat Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: Half Moon Restaurant 914.693.4130
Entertainment/Photo Favors: Rooney Tunes Entertainment DJ/MC Joe Rooney
Invitation: Collage 941-922-2939 barrie-collage@comcast.net
Decor: Daniels Florals and Events 914-481-5528
Cake: Martine’s Fine Bakery 914-346-8650
Photographer: Margaret Fox Photography 914-332-9704
Mitzvah Style: Dresses off the rack and on sale! Beckett’s dress at Neiman Marcus
Juliet’s at Lord & Taylor and for Mitzvah Mom Bonnie Woodbury Commons Outlets
Hair/makeup for Mom: Linda Gallo 914-473-7657
Hair for Bat Mitzvah girl Beckett: Salon Topaz 914-231-6212
Transportation: Chappaqua Bus 914-238-4404
May 21st, 2010
By Margaret Fescina, NY Party Works
Planning a successful event is a collaborative effort by everyone involved. There are many details concerning timing, access, electrical requirements and spacial issues. Vendor conflicts can be avoided if they are addressed early in the process.
Here are 5 quick tips to insure a positive working relationship with your Vendors:
1. Supply all information when asked. If you do not know the answer to a question by one of your Vendors, tell them that you will call the appropriate people and get back to them, and do it as soon as possible. Your Vendor is trying to do the best possible job for you and will need this information to make sure that everything goes smoothly on the day of your event. Some questions might concern sources of electric, where items are being placed, when specific Vendors can access the loading area, scheduling of entertainment with things like the candle lighting ceremony. The more your Vendors know about your event, the fewer surprises there will be.
2. Act as the liaison between the venue and your Vendors. You are the person that they all have in common unless you are using an event planner. So it is best once again to be sure that everyone is on the same page. For example, if one of your Vendors give you an arrival time for setup, be sure that you pass this information on to the venue so someone will be there to meet and direct them.
3. Be open to advice and suggestions by Vendors. You hired them because they are the professionals and have years of experience in working events, so at least listen and discuss the options when they offer an opinion. They may know something that you don’t.
4. Be flexible whenever possible. No one wants you to not get the party that you are paying for, or to alter your vision in anyway if it isn’t necessary. But sometimes compromise is needed. Cooperation is the key to planning an event with multiple Vendors. If everyone works together, with you bending a little here, and a Vendor or the venue bending a little there, it will all work out with much less conflict and aggravation for everyone.
5. Discuss ahead of time what your balance is and how the final payment will be made. Whatever you decide upon, do it. Don’t make your Vendors come look for you, it is uncomfortable for everyone.
Being prepared and anticipating any problems is a win, win situation for everyone.
To learn more about NY Party Works, visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
May 21st, 2010
Our past stories have included a Mitzvah Trend feature on candy bars and 5 tips on how to make your own Candy Buffet on a budget. Today’s Mitzvah Inspire is all about delicious looking dessert tables from sought after event designer Amy Atlas. Forget about those old boring Viennese tables, Amy Atlas, who is located in New York City, specializes in creating high end dessert tables.
She is not a pastry chef but an event planner who focuses on all things desserts. A former attorney with no design background, she designs and bakes desserts that fit right into the décor of your party. She pairs yummy treats with beautiful linens, jars and backdrops that are a feast for the eyes as well as the mouth.
Please check out some of her beautiful work below, we hope it will give you some ideas for your child’s upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah or any type of party you might be throwing. See pictures below:
This fall table features witch cupcakes, ghost brownies, pumpkin bark and spider-webbed candy apples. An urn filled with branches created an area to hang custom, stamped bags filled with Halloween candy
Snowflakes and lavendar was the theme for this Bat Mitzvah
Pucci inspired design includes custom cupcake tower, custom popcorn cone bar and custom cotton candy sticks
This modern display features a graphic cake, custom yellow and black chocolates, licorice mints, lemon cupcakes and brilliant, yellow gerber daisies
Check out this colorful moroccan dessert table which includes moroccan tea glasses with orange creamsicle panna cotta, a moroccan-inspired cake, Khab El Ghzal (a Moroccan specialty), as well as mum topiaries
Is your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Thanksgiving Day weekend? This Thanksgiving Dessert Table has great ideas! There are turkey cookies, pilgrim cupcakes, mayflower boats filled with pumpkin candies, mini caramel & sugar-dusted pears, and apple cider with cinnamon sticks
For more, check out Amy’s terrific Website.
May 21st, 2010
Talk about personalization…check out Parker’s Crazy Cookies.
This company takes a photo and then creates a cookie in that image!
The taste is close to animal crackers but they are people crackers. The cookies are kosher and vegan. We really like the company’s slogan: “Where you can be a cookie and we can make it happen!”
A Parker’s Crazy Cookie customer and her cookie creation!
A Bar Mitzvah boy who likes guitars!
The cookies come individually wrapped in a cellophane bag with a customized label and they need 2-3 weeks lead time, minimum 25 bags per design.
They also have a Jewish collection for $2.99 a bag and you can customize the front sticker for $20.00 more
Parker’s Crazy Cookies are great as party favors with a glass of milk and please go ahead…bite their head off!
May 21st, 2010
We found a great product at the recent Stationery Show that solves a Mitzvah gift problem!
Recently, we gave you a Mom-to-Mom tip about what to do with all those gift envelopes, but here’s another alternative.
The Picture Card Box from Kelly Mare Collections is a picture frame card box that can be used in a number of ways: as gift holder and even as a container to hold special messages written by guests to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child.
After receiving your Perfect Card Box, you follow their easy assembly instructions, insert a photo and you are all set. All Perfect Card Boxes come with a decorative lock and key for added security plus once the gift card is inserted into the card box it is out of site behind your pictures.
The card box is made from a wood composite. The outside of the box measures 12.375″ x 12.375″ x 13.25″. Each side of the card box has an opening allowing you to insert four 8″ x 10″ photos. The card slot is on the top of the box.
The bottom of the card box is attached to a rotating base allowing it to turn for your guests to see all the pictures no matter where they are sitting!
Learn more by visiting their Website.
May 20th, 2010
Hello All!
We are excited to bring you this Mitzvah Family Spotlight from the Yudin Family who live in Muttontown, New York. The Yudin’s had an afternoon Bar Mitzvah for their son Shaun at the Woodbury Country Club. With parents in the linen skirting business, plus a Mom who is an event planner, Shaun’s “safari” adventure themed party was a big hit. Don’t be afraid to Go Wild!
All Vendor information can be found at the bottom of this feature. Party photography was done by The Portrait Shoppe.
L-R The Yudin Family: Dad Ross, sister Jessica, Bar Mitzvah boy Shaun, brother Mitchell and Mom Beth
Mitzvah Mom Beth is a party planner and put her knowledge, creativity and resources to wonderful use by creating a unique and personalized safari themed Bar Mitzvah for her son Shaun. She started off by designing this navy leather custom invitation.
Shaun’s parents own Premier Skirting, a linen company that has a huge selection of table linens and accessories. It was easy to find all they needed to compliment their safari theme.
Coin purses in animal prints served as place cards
The cocktail hour was in a beautifully draped tent designed by Mom Beth with chairs and tablecloths custom-made by Premier Skirting
Custom indoor beaded tents with a coordinating circular couches continued the safari theme…
and gave guests another place to relax!
A close-up of the custom napkin rings and beautiful napkins
Shaun in front of his Tiki Hut
Animal print linens and faux crocodile chair covers by Premier Skirting and beautiful centerpieces by Stefan’s Florist dress up the tables
There was lots of signage and branding at this safari Mitzvah!
Shaun in front of a big sign welcoming guests to his Safari
A custom pillow, which is now in his room, was there for guests to sign
Even a customized light-up sign was created!
The musical entertainment was provided by Party Up Productions with Jason as their MC.
Shaun and guests enjoying
Guests dancing with professional dancers in themed shirts
A break dancer entertains guests
As do these Salsa Dancers
The Yudin’s had some special unique touches at Shaun’s celebration.
The Rad Hatter flew in from California to made unique hats for guests
Many types of birds were at the party in cages. This docile one came out for a visit with Shaun
Mitzvah Mom Beth felt that one of the most difficult parts of the Mitzvah process was finding the time to write the candlelighting speech. She says, “For my first child’s Bat Mitzvah, we called up only personal friends and family which offended some guests.” Then adds, “For my middle child’s Bar Mitzvah, we put a candle at each person’s place setting and all the guests light a candle together.” But she found yet another unique way of doing candle light’s for her third child, “For Shaun’s, I decided to do something different. We called up full tables to light the candles. It got everyone involved in the party, and added a personal touch since this was a new idea.”
An entire group is called up to light one of the candles
Now that Mitzvah Mom Beth has successfully thrown 3 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, she has this advice for our readers, “Agree with your son or daughter on a concept or theme. This sets the tone, and actually helps to carry through, and coordinate the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Also, the personal touches that convey family style and spirit adds tremendous originally and warmth to any Bar or Bat Mitzvah.” Thanks Beth!
Beth designed the safari-themed colorful sweatshirt with the help of A USA Promos/Imagemaker.
The sweatshirt favor for Shaun’s young guests
Here’s a list of the Mitzvah Vendors who helped make Shaun’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you call any of them, please let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
Venue: Woodbury Country Club 516-692-6200
Decor/Event Planner: Beth Yudin Premier Skirting 516-239-6581
Favors: A Promo USA/ImageMaker Mindy 516-377-0186
DJ/MC: Party UP Productions 631-988-9579
Hat Maker: The Rad Hatter: 619-223-8774
Invitation: Beth Yudin 516-239-6581
Florist: Stefans Florist 516-239-2402
Photography: The Portrait Shoppe 516-938-3936
Fashion: LianCarlo, Jessica McClintock, Century 21 and Jos. A Bank
Hair: Cathy 631-338-1998
Make Up Lorraine 631-262-0095
Transportation: Coachman Limousine 516-367-1500
May 20th, 2010
Our Mitzvah Moms who have already been thru planning a child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah have the greatest ideas!
This one comes from Mitzvah Mom Bethany who realized she wasn’t prepared at Mitzvah #1 when guests began handing over their gift envelopes to her and her husband.
For the second child’s Mitzvah she realized what she needed to do and always makes this suggestion to friends. Bring a fold-up tote bag!
These bags are from Reusablebags.com
This way, you have a place to put the envelopes. Thanks Bethany! Great idea that I bet we don’t think of as we are walking out the door for our child’s Mitzvah celebration.
If you have a great Mom-to-Mom tip for our readers, please let us know at Sheri@MitzvahMarket.com.
May 19th, 2010
Jason Bergman from Bellmore, NY had a great idea when it came to his Mitzvah Project. He and his family are collecting cans and bottles and redeeming then. They will then donate all the money earned to OHEL.
We spoke to Jason to learn more about his Mitzvah Project:
MM: Does your project have a start and end date, if so what are they?:
JB: We have been collecting cans for a while and already have 12,000. My project will end on June 30, 2010.
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project/charity?
JB: I decided to follow in my sisters footsteps. It is a fun project and my whole family gets involved doing it.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar Mitzvah?
JB: It means a lot to me. I am very lucky that my parents are able to do things for me but I know that there are a lot of kids that are not that lucky. It is all about doing something nice for someone else. That is what they have taught us at Hebrew School all these years.
MM: Can you give us details of your Mitzvah Project?
JB: I sent out a letter to all my friends and family to tell them about my project. We are collecting water and soda bottles and soda cans for their 5 cent redemption. Then every week we go to the supermarket and turn them in for cash. Once we have ended the project, I am going to match whatever I raise with money that I receive as gifts from my Bar Mitzvah. This money will be sent to a Jewish organization to help a less fortunate child have a Bar Mitzvah of their own.
Jason in action, depositing his collected cans
MM: If it involves a donation, what are you doing to spreading the word?
JB: We are spreading the word through e-mail mostly and then word of mouth. My friends are helping and even people I don’t know have gotten involved because they think it is a great idea.
MM: Anything else we need to know about your Mitzvah Project?
JB: The only thing that I want to say is that every bottle or can helps. It helps the environment too because most people just throw this stuff away. I am having a lot of fun doing this too. So many of my friends have gotten involved and have helped me too. One weekend we collected over 1200 cans and bottles! The only people that aren’t happy are the ones behind us on line at the redemption center!
Thanks Jason. Your idea is a simple one with a big impact!
May 19th, 2010
There are so many great organizations that would love to be the beneficiary of your child’s Mitzvah Project!
Today we wanted to tell you about the work of rock CAN roll.
rock CAN roll, Inc.,™ is a volunteer, non profit, hunger relief organization committed to restocking the dwindling shelves of local food pantries, soup kitchens, safe homes and shelters.
They coordinate events and create projects by collecting canned food (and other essential necessities) for men, women and children in need of assistance. They work together with schools, social groups, corporations, the arts and the music industry to collect and deliver much needed items to organizations (with no fee, no cost and no expense) that help people that lack food security and are in need of fundamental support.
Here is an example of how you can make your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah a “rockCANroll” event!
Lauren Dershowitz from Jericho, New York had her Bat Mitzvah in 2006 and teamed up with Aimee Holtzman from rock CAN roll.
Lauren Dershowitz
We asked her to explain further:
MM: How did you include rock CAN roll in your Bat Mitzvah celebration?
LD: With the invitation for my Bat Mitzvah, I sent a notice that I was collecting non-perishable foods for the organization called rock CAN roll, and I asked that my guests please bring a few donations. On the notice, there was also information about rock CAN roll and how you can do more to help the cause as well as the address of the website, www.rockCANroll.org.
I then continued to volunteer at rock CAN roll events. I believe that the first time I helped Aimee was at the Westbury Theatre, and a cover band of Pink Floyd was playing. We came two hours early, before the show started, to welcome the people attending the concert and tell them about rock CAN roll. And then something unexpected happened after the concert had started. Aimee told us that we could actually see the concert! I was very excited because Pink Floyd was (and still is) one of my favorite bands. It was just a very cool prop to add to the great feeling that I may have helped someone that night.
MM: In your own words, what does it mean to you to do a Mitzvah Project for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
LD: It meant a lot that I got to help support a friend who was just starting her organization, so I could help her get the name and message of rock CAN roll out to the world. Also, the fact that I helped collect a few cans for the hungry made me feel good, and like I made a difference in a few people’s lives. I’m proud to have a great friend like Aimee who only wants to help everyone she meets, and I am honored that she allows me to help in her pursuit of abolishing hunger on Long Island.
MM: If it involves a donation, how did you spread the word?
LD: I told my friends about the charity, and explained what the organization is and means to my chorus class, so they understood why they should bring cans of food to our concerts. I wear a sweatshirt that clearly advertises the information needed to help the cause, and I volunteer whenever I am needed and as much as I can.
For more information on rock CAN roll, please visit their Website.
