M stands for mitzvah, in UJW’s book

CINDY KREE

They accomplished three successful projects.

Last Thursday, together with SANBS, UJW ran a blood drive at Melrose Arch and collected 55 pints of blood from very generous donors.

The following day they initated and organised a project that included Hirsch Lyons Primary School and Paterson Park Primary School pupils. Together, they packed baby bags for impoverished moms. This project included the girls from two schools that are right next door each other, encouraging children who were once strangers to become friends. UJW will distribute these practical and useful bags to new mothers at various hospitals.

On Sunday, more volunteers came together and packed 62 bags of non-perishable food for granny and chil-headed households  in Pimville, Soweto.  The non-perishables came from donations from the community, as well as the generous ongoing support of the Lions Club, who collect at Pick ‘n Pay Gallo Manor.

UK Mitzvah Day founder and chair, Laura Marks, applauded the Union of Jewish Women for its achievements, “(Your) projects touched the lives of many, and as a result, will have a real, lasting impact throughout the year.”

UJW Johannesburg’s executive director, Cindy Kree, spoke passionately of how heartwarming and exciting it was to see so many members of various communities and faiths, joining together to make a real difference to those less fortunate than themselves.