More than 300 volunteers throughout Monmouth County took part in the seventh annual Mitzvah Day on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Volunteers collected almost 5,000 pounds of food and donated it to the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in Neptune; in addition, more than 200 bags of kosher items were collected for the Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Monmouth County in Asbury Park.

Other volunteers loaded three large trucks with bags of warm clothing that were donated to Goodwill of New Jersey, Family Resources of Englishtown, JF&CS, the Salvation Army of New Jersey, and the Rescue Mission of Trenton.

The annual "day of caring" was sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Western Monmouth in Manalapan.

"The scope of Mitzvah Day, fueled by the wonderful and enthusiastic support of the participating organizations, reflects our community's desire to support those agencies and organizations dedicated to the greater good of people in need throughout the communities we live in," said Shelley Feingold, the JCC's operations and outreach director.

More than $400 was collected for the Jewish Agency for Israel's Making the Grade program. This was JAFI's first year as a Mitzvah Day beneficiary organization. Members of Congregation Ahavat Achim in Howell accepted the cash donations that JAFI will use to purchase school supplies for Israeli children.

Elsewhere, 48 pints of blood were donated to the Central Jersey Blood Center in Shrewsbury. Center staff were on hand to receive the donations at Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen and Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon. In addition, 16 people registered at Temple Rodeph Torah in Marlboro to give blood to Community Blood Services of Paramus.

A toy drive netted more than 100 bags of toys that were given to the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, the Emmanuel Children's Cancer Foundation in Neptune, and the Matawan United Methodist Church in Aberdeen.

In conjunction with Operation Open A.R.M.S, members of Ahavat Achim and Congregation Brothers of Israel in Elberon collected several hundred travel-sized health and beauty items for American military personnel stationed in Iraq.

Mitzvah Day participants also provided entertainment during the day. The Kadima chapter of Temple Beth El in Oakhurst visited residents at King Manor Care Center in Neptune, while storytellers and members of Temple Beth Miriam's adult and junior choirs entertained residents at the Atria Assisted Living facility in Tinton Falls.

In addition, children and adults from Rodeph Torah sang and chatted with the residents of Sunrise Assisted Living in Marlboro.

The volunteers also were an important part of the eight-month planning sessions that resulted in this year's successful event, said Feingold.

"These wonderful men and women bring Mitzvah Day to their boards of directors and social action committees, and that is where it all happens and comes together," said Feingold. "Every year I say they are among the best people I know — their only concern is how much we can do and how many we can help."
Members of the JCC's executive committee concurred with Feingold's assessment.

"I find it extremely comforting to see people from our community come out to support the sick, the needy, and the less fortunate," said Howard Topal of Marlboro, JCC executive committee senior vice president. "I find it particularly satisfying to see so many young people giving back to their community. It shows me that organizations like the JCC are making a difference.

"I'd like to say mazel tov to the parents who raised such caring and compassionate kids."

Mitzvah Day's spirit of tikun olam resulted in an added bonus, Feingold said. On Oct. 29, the Center Play School at the Ruth Hyman JCC in Deal began a week-long drive to collect pajamas for the National Pajama Program, which distributes the nightclothes to needy children throughout the country. The school received more than four dozen pairs of pajamas from area donors.

"The Center Play School did this project in honor of Mitzvah Day," Feingold said. "Every year, our goal is to set the tone for giving and caring all year long. The play school's project shows that the spirit of tikun olam is alive and well."