Fulfilling the mission of Tikkun Olam, Tzedakah and Chesed with the help of Volunteers at Handmaker

One of the most valuable resources that a person can give of is their time. We are so fortunate to have more than 40 volunteers who give their time every week at Handmaker, each helping to fulfill Handmaker’s mission of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Tzedakah (just and charitable deeds) and Chesed (loving kindness).

Of the over 40 volunteers at Handmaker, most come every week, and some come more than once a week. We have volunteers leading book club, teaching a Yiddish class, leading Torah Study, knitting with residents, calling bingo, teaching art classes, playing games, painting nails, going with residents on outings, or just sitting and talking with our residents. Some have been volunteering at Handmaker for decades, some for just a few months. We have volunteers in their 80s, and some who are just in their teens. And every one of them help to make Handmaker the special place that it is.

Six of our volunteers bring their dogs, so most every day we have animals visiting Handmaker. Many of our residents love animals. For some of them, a visit with a dog is the highlight of their day. And no wonder, studies have shown that petting dogs can lower your blood pressure, as well as increase levels of the hormone oxytocin, which helps us to feel happy. And it shows. These amazing volunteers and their canine friends bring much joy to our residents’ lives.

Every Shabbat (Saturday) morning and for every Jewish Holiday for over 20 years, volunteers have led Jewish services at Handmaker. These generous souls make it possible for Handmaker residents to practice their Judaism within easy walking distance of their homes. At the services there are many other regulars who attend and help residents find their page in the Siddur, chant Torah or Haftorah, or help set-up the Kiddush lunch. Our residents love having visitors at services, as volunteers or as congregants, so please come by any Saturday morning at 9:30am. http://www.handmaker.org/living-at-handmaker/spiritual-life

Handmaker residents are well taken care of, and the dedicated and loving volunteers who come and visit regularly make a very special difference in all of the lives that they touch. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at Handmaker, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Jennifer Ladd Omo at jomo@handmaker.org.