The Days of Caring and Sharing are an integral part of JCC Maccabi week. Planners in each Games city work with local organizations to determine where to best place 1,500 energetic, spirited and upbeat teenagers and their coaches. This is a tremendous challenge, but JCC Maccabi organizers and Stamford agencies have not only risen to the task, they have embraced it. If all goes off as planned, the City of Stamford will reap a remarkable return on its hospitality.

Athletes will compete in Stamford parks and recreation areas, so why not pretty them up as a lasting JCC Maccabi legacy? To that end, one DOCAS project involves purchasing and beautifying trash drums. Squads of teens will paint hundreds of them in bold colors emblazoned with stenciled flowers to be installed in city parks and beaches.

Other athletes will participate in a large-scale beach and park cleanup organized by Soundwaters. Children from the Stamford Boys and Girls Club will benefit from the positive energy and friendship of hundreds of JCC Maccabi kids. Some will spend an afternoon at a local bowling alley; others will do arts and crafts projects.

Yet another group of athletes will sew pillows for the troops in Iraq, which, according to spokespeople from Seattle-based “Operation Comfort” are quite coveted and cherished by soldiers in the field.

Yes, the JCC Maccabi Games are about friendly competition. Yes, they are about learning how Jews from other cultures live. Yes, Games week is about rendezvousing with old friends, making new ones and leaving with promises to visit in faraway lands. But by incorporating all of the above, the JCC Maccabi Games is ultimately about leaving a positive mark, lending a hand, making the world a better place. Tikkun Olam.
 

Please spread the word and tell everyone you know who has registered as a volunteer to do this now, if they haven’t already!  It is critical that the volunteer committee get the information as soon as possible so that they can start creating the schedule for the week.

Also, there is still time to make your own mark on the Games by volunteering for at least one 4-hour shift. Your participation will create memories you are sure to relish!  Please log onto www.stamfordmaccabi.org to register as a volunteer. 

To schedule your orientation, please email Ellen Wolf at the Maccabi Central office at ewolf@stamfordjcc.org.  Dates and times are as follows:

Tuesday, July 25
7 p.m. Host Family Orientation / 8 p.m. Volunteer Orientation
Thursday, July 27
7 p.m. Host Family Orientation / 8 p.m. Volunteer Orientation
Sunday, August 6
4 p.m. Host Family Orientation / 5 p.m. Volunteer Orientation

If you cannot make any of the dates and times listed above, please let the appropriate committee know as soon as possible so that they can make other arrangements for your training.  Contact them at: maccabihostfamily@yahoo.com or maccabivolunteers@yahoo.com.