Boy Collects Socks for Homeless

Tzivos Hashem is running a worldwide competition for Jewish children to mark 30 years since the youth movement was established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

“The Power of Jewish Children” features entries from children from around the world, who will compete for prizes totaling $30,000 cash and a trip to New York.

COLlive is showcasing some of the entries:

Name: Matthew Cohn

Age: 13

School: Robbins Hebrew Academy Bathurst Campus, Toronto

Theme of my submission:

As part of my becoming a Bar Mitzvah, my mom and I talked about how I could make a difference in the world.

So for my Bar Mitzvah this past October, I decided that I would try to collect 1800 pairs of socks to donate to homeless people across Toronto. I chose 1800 because in Judaism, 18 represents chai, or life, and I wanted to make sure that the lives of 1800 people would be a tiny bit better.

I composed a letter (which I have attached) that I sent to many manufacturers across North America, asking for them to help me by donating socks to my cause. I also asked family and friends for their help, and I set up a donations box in my school. After only six weeks, thanks to support from family, friends and various companies, I had surpassed my goal of 1800, and had collected a total of 2169 new pairs of socks. I donated these socks to a Toronto-based organization called Veahavta, where the socks were distributed to homeless people throughout Toronto.

Right after my bar mitzvah, my parents and I went out on the Veahavta Mobile Jewish Response Unit. It is a van that goes out every night of the week except Friday to deliver food, clothing and supplies to the many people living on the streets here in Toronto. We saw so many people that night and delivered sandwiches and socks to every one. I was so happy that I could make a small difference to many needy people.

Only three days left to submit! To enter go to www.Powerofjewishchildren.com.