The Jewish Council of North Central Florida, in partnership with Hillel and Chabad at UF, Congregation B'nai Israel, Hadassah, Temple Shir Shalom, and many Gainesville area organizations, invites you to join us for the Seventh Annual Community Mitzvah Day!
Below is the list of Mitzvah Day projects. Click on the hyperlink (in blue) for the project that you wish to volunteer for. Please register for only one activity. Projects have specific registration numbers to accommodate the needs and limitations of the site. If you are able, feel free to donate supplies needed for as many projects as you would like to support! In many cases, gently used clothing, non-perishable food and other items are critical!
Please contact the JCNCF office at 352.371.3846 or office@jcncf.org with any questions about Mitzvah Day.
Program Schedule:
Special Drives and Supplies Needed for Mitzvah Day
Drop off the items below at any Mitzvah Day project location and we will get them to their designated charities!
Bread of the Mighty: Non perishable food items are needed for Bread of the Mighty, which supplies food for 160 social service agencies that service the hungry in 5 North Central Florida counties.
Children Beyond Our Borders: Donate new or gently used unwrapped toys (dolls, games, sports equipment) for children ages 6 to 14.
Pine Ridge After School Program: Bring elementary aged kids clothing, uniforms, healthy non-perishable snacks and hygiene products for collection and distribution to the Pine Ridge Community Center, which provides tutoring and support services for the Northwood Villas neighborhood.
General Supplies: Please consider donating supplies needed to make our Mitzvah Day projects happen. Some projects have supply sign ups on their project pages or you can click on the link below:
Projects at Hillel (2020 West University Avenue, 32603)
Hillel Gardens: Volunteers are needed to clean the UF Hillel of debris in order to make way for future planting projects.
Lone Soldier Care Packages: Volunteers will organize and assemble care packages and write letters to send to soldiers serving in Israel.
Origami Making: Volunteers will make origami cranes which will be donated to Joey's Wing's, a non-profit that raises money for pediatric kidney cancer research.
PB&Js for the Homeless: Volunteers will make sandwiches and organize supplies to be distributed to the homeless and hungry at Grace Marketplace.
PJ Library Family Fun Mitzvah Project Circuit at Hillel
PJ Library Family Fun Mitzvah Projects: Families with young children (8 and under) can stay at Hillel after breakfast and do a circuit of kid friendly activities to support several charities. Projects include:
Projects at Chabad (2021 NW 5th Avenue, 32603)
Jaffa Institute Israel: A non-proft multi-service agency that assists the city of Jaffa's severly disadvantage children and their families by providing educational, recreational, and social enriching programs to enhance self-esteem and academic performance. For more info go to www.JaffaInstitue.org
Thanksgiving Smiles for Seniors in Gainesville: Supplying senior citizens that are alone for the holiday season. Help bring joy, hope, and warmth to local senior citizens for Thanksgiving. Bake, cook and prepare with love for Thanksgiving Smiles.
Chabad's Terror Victims Project Israel CTVP- A non-profit humanitarian organization that visits terror victims and families, bringing financial, practical, emotional and spiritual support. Please visit www.ctvp.org for more information.
Projects at Congregation B'nai Israel (3830 NW 16th Blvd. 32605)
Stone Soup Casserole Brigade: The casserole brigade is back and ready to make meals for local charities. Make sure to sign up for a casserole and bring ALL the ingredients necessary.
Bundles of Warmth: Donating and sorting scarves, hats, and outerwear for St. Francis House
Literacy Matters: Donate appropriate children's books to be delivered to the Early Learning Coalition.
Food4kids: Collecting food for school-aged children to eat on weekends and school vacations.
Gemilut Chasadim: Collecting puzzles,sudoku,crosswords,hard candy,magazines, generic stationery, note pads etc.
Project at the JCNCF Office (3835 NW 8th Avenue, 32605)
Move-in Packages for Peaceful Paths: Volunteers will assemble move-in packages with basic house-hold goods for recipients of Peaceful Paths who are in need of support.
Projects at Temple Shir Shalom (3855 NW 8th Avenue, 32605)
Pet Care Supply Packaging: Volunteers will take large bags of dog and cat food and break them down into quart and gallon sized bags to be distributed to the St. Francis House Pet Care Clinic, which provides free and low cost veterinary care for Gainesville's indigent population.
Sorting Clothing: Volunteers will sort clothing according to the needs of several area charities: Tacachale, Displaced Homemakers, BOLD, Pace, and the Helping Hands Clinic. All volunteers are encouraged to contribute to this project and may drop off their clothing donations on Mitzvah Day or before.
Other Project Sites
Adopt-a-street clean up: Dr. Pawliger and his team will be cleaning up NW 8th between 13th and 22nd Streets. Necessary equipment, supplies and water will be provided.
Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Project: Volunteers will be working to rehabilitate a house to make it safe, decent and affordable for a family. No special skills are needed, and no need to bring tools or materials. Minimum age is 16. Volunteers between 16-18 years old need to accompanied by an adult. Home is located near Morningside Nature Center. Upon signing up, volunteer application will be sent via email and form needs to be presented at the site. Lunch and water will be provided. Project runs from 8:30 am to 1 pm.
Baking Cookies at the Ronald McDonald House: Volunteers will be baking cookies/sweets for the children and families at the Ronald McDonald House.(1600 SW 14th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608).
Ronald McDonald House Grounds Project: Cleaning and sprucing up the outdoors for the residents of the Ronald McDonald house where families stay while their children are undergoing medical procedures.(1600 SW 14th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608)