Baltimore, MD - Jan., 5, 2017 - Many in the Jewish community were off on December 25 and as they poured into the Weinberg Park Heights JCC, they had one thing in mind. On this first day of Chanukah, they, and their families, had come out to help those in need throughout Baltimore City and County.

As they filed around the long tables in the JCC auditorium, they filled bag after bag with a combination of winter scarves, hats, socks, toiletries, food and other items. Two thousand of these winter care packages were later distributed to people in need throughout the community.

Throughout the community, more than a thousand Baltimoreans came together to take part in Jewish Volunteer Connection’s (JVC) 11th annual Community Mitzvah Day. In addition to compiling winter care packages, they made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, blankets, cards and other crafted gifts to give to those in need.

In addition to the happenings at the Weinberg Park Heights JCC, Community Mitzvah Day offered volunteer opportunities at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC and throughout the Baltimore community. Volunteers served meals at area soup kitchens, socialized and served food to the elderly at facilities such as Weinberg Park Assisted Living.

 “It’s beautiful to see the Jewish community – young and old – families and couples – take time off from their busy schedules to make the lives of those in need a little brighter,” said Ashley Pressman, JVC’s executive director.  JVC is a program of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.

In addition to matching individuals with volunteer opportunities, JVC participates in four national volunteer opportunities a year. Its next large day of service is Monday, January 16 as part of MLK Jr. National Day of Service.

Learn more about JVC’s MLK Day of Service and how to sign up at jvcbaltimore.org. (Use this link to hyperlink for jvcbaltimore.org) http://jvcbaltimore.org/volunteer-offerings/annual-events/mlk-day-of-service/