JEWISHcolorado is pleased to offer Boulder community members the chance to perform a mitzvah, a good deed, during the busy holiday season.

Each Christmas for the past 24 years, JEWISHcolorado and hundreds of volunteers relieve employees and regular volunteers at Front Range charitable organizations, healthcare facilities, and senior living facilities on Christmas Eve, December 24, and Christmas Day, December 25, so they can spend time with their loved ones.

Over 600 volunteers in the Jewish community will participate in the Christmas Mitzvah Project. This year, a Boulder family is opening their home to welcome local families to participate in this meaningful day of service. The local site will conduct indirect service projects, including making fleece scarves and cold weather gear packs for people in need.

“We relish the opportunity to support and care for community workers and our community this time of year,” said Susan Chayet, project director of the Christmas Mitzvah Project for JEWISHcolorado.  “Hundreds of volunteers show up before sunrise with huge smiles and a ‘put me to work attitude’.  The day is extremely rewarding for everyone involved.”

In addition to this local Boulder project site, JEWISHcolorado will coordinate and provide volunteers at 22 other sites throughout the metro Denver area. No special skills are required and there are opportunities for all ages. Friends and family of any faith are welcome.

The fundamental Jewish values of tikkun olam, repairing the world, and chessed, acts of loving kindness to bring compassion in our world, are core areas of focus for JEWISHcolorado, helping Coloradans connect to the Jewish people and our shared values.

To learn more about the Christmas Mitzvah Project, please visit jewishcolorado.org/christmasmitzvahproject.

Full list of sites and their respective activities:

• A Precious Child: Sort donated clothing, toiletries, other essentials
• Boulder Family Site: Make scarves; decorate meal bags for Meals on Wheels
• Broomfield FISH: Process and put away food donations
• Casa de Paz: Organize donations, clean home
• Children’s Hospital Colorado: Staff gift shop, welcome visitors, host craft party in main lobby, serve lunch to patients’ families
• Colorado Pet Pantry: Sort and organize pet food donations
• 4 Paws 4 Life Rescue: Clean kennels, do laundry, walk & feed dogs
• The Delores Project: Serve Christmas Eve dinner, eat with guests, clean kitchen
• Food Bank of the Rockies: Sort produce and box food orders
• JEWISHcolorado Family Site at Denver Jewish Day School: Assemble meal kits for Jewish Family Service; make fleece scarves & cold weather gear packs for people in need; decorate meal bags for Meals on Wheels
• JEWISHcolorado YAD Family Site at Rodef Shalom: Make fleece scarves for people in need; decorate meal bags for Meals on Wheels
• JEWISHcolorado Young Adult (YAD) Site at Moishe House Denver: Young adults, aged 21-45, will make fleece blankets for GIVE Denver; assemble warm fuzzy packs with cold weather gear for Denver Rescue Mission; make holiday and thank you cards for firefighters and police officers
• Littleton Adventist Hospital: Assist in kitchen, serve meals, answer phones, welcome guests
• Mount Saint Vincent: Cook and serve Christmas lunch
• Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue: Feed cats, clean kennels
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver: Help at front desk, do light cleaning
• Shalom Park: Visit with elders, make cards, play games, call bingo, pass out wrapped presents, help elders skype with family
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Inpatient Psychiatry Unit: Visit with veterans, lead activities
• Someran Glen Retirement Community: Support holiday activities, serve lunch, visit with residents
• Zuma’s Rescue Ranch: Feed horses, clean pens