For my Kishrei Halev project I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do.  Finally, I knew of the perfect project for me to feel good and for others to be helped and cared for.  I decided to volunteer at Meridian Health South Assisting Living Nursing Home in Colts Neck.  This was an appropriate place for me to do my project because my Great Uncle Ang who has Alzheimer’s lives there.   Most people at Health South are diagnosed with a form of Alzheimer’s.

 I contacted the director of Health South’s activities.  She later got back to me and we agreed I could volunteer a couple of hours each Monday.  The first time I met with her I received a tour of the facility and I met the staff, other volunteers, and the patients.  I had so much to talk about and it made me feel so good that my mom and sister decided to volunteer too.

Once I began to help at the facility, there was always a new adventure every Monday afternoon.  Most days we played BINGO and I would either call the number on the balls or help others play as the numbers were being called.  Some people had more difficulties when we would play than others. It depends on their degree of Alzheimer’s.  Some days you would make crafts with them… they just like to keep busy and like having the company.

 Some of the people I got very friendly with and I will never forget.  Even if they did not remember me the next time I came to visit, just giving them a smile or laugh is all it took to make me feel good inside.  Some days I would bring a snack that I had made for every one to share.  I had to be careful of dietary needs of the residents while deciding on a recipe.  The staff and the residents appreciated anything I could do to help. 

 I give the people that work at the facility a lot of credit.  They make volunteering so much fun and they had so much patience with the people who live there.  They keep busy all day and always have a smile on their faces.  I feel my mom, Rachael and I helped to make these Alzheimer patients a little happier each Monday afternoon.

 For the baskets, I did something that did not have to do with the nursing home. I did not want to forget the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan that are fighting for Israel and the United States. Following my sisters Bat Mitzvah basket project I asked everyone to bring an item for the soldiers and I have donated items to the soldiers that are in the baskets on the bema.  After my Bat Mitzvah is over I will assure you that I will send the items overseas to the soldiers to enjoy.

In conclusion, doing things to help others made me feel good about myself.  I was really happy to help others and I really feel I made a difference and touched many people’s lives and that was my goal for this project!  In the future I plan on continuing volunteering at nursing homes and supporting our soldiers through out the world.