Sedona AZ (October 8, 2013) – On Sunday, November 17, 11:30AM to 5PM, Sedona and surrounding communities will celebrate the 7th Annual Mitzvah (Good Deed) Day. About 350 volunteers of all ages are needed for this interfaith, intergenerational spirit-led day of service announced Rabbi Alicia Magal and Barbara Litrell, co-chairs of the event which takes place under the auspices of the Sedona Community Center. The theme for this year’s Mitzvah Day is “Gratitude in Action” leading into the Thanksgiving and holiday season of caring.
Since 2007 an average of 350 volunteers per year have donated over 8400 total volunteer hours and accomplished over 240 projects. Volunteers have helped seniors, veterans, other individuals in need, as well as worked on landscape, painting and cleaning projects, and prepared craft items to benefit Verde Valley Sanctuary residents, veterans in the VA hospital, Sedona Food Bank homeless clients, children in hospitals, and more.
According to Rabbi Alicia Magal of the Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley, “Gratitude in Action encourages all of us to count our blessings and reach out to help our neighbors and the earth.”
Volunteers check in at St. John Vianney RCC, 180 St. John Vianney Dr., at 11:30AM. Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Cornville volunteers can check in at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, 330 Scenic Drive in Clarkdale. At noon, faith community leaders will offer a blessing on the day’s work and volunteers will go to project sites from 12:30PM-3:30PM. Everyone is invited to gather at St. John Vianney at 4PM for food, music and sharing stories of the day.
Mitzvah Day is funded by grants, donations and in kind services from the City of Sedona, faith communities, businesses and individuals. If you have a project, want to volunteer or to donate money, contact Barbara Litrell 649-0135, blitrell@aol.com or check www.mitzvahdaysedona.com.