Mitzvah Project, Part Deux

by Al Yellon on Apr 27, 2007 10:05 AM CDT in Chicago Cubs News

One of my daughter Rachel's best friends is a girl named Jenna, who is being Bat Mitzvahed this August.

She's a huge Cubs fan -- I swear, this kid has more Cubs clothes than I do -- and has managed to obtain a large collection of autographed baseballs, largely due to patiently waiting, along with her mom, for both Cubs and visiting players to sign for her.

One of the things that a young person who is about to be Bar or Bat Mitzvah does, in preparation, is a "Mitzvah Project" -- giving something of himself or herself to benefit the community. Last August, I posted about Jenna's first eBay auction of baseballs; some of you bid on them and won, and as a result, Jenna raised $3500 for various charitable organizations.

The first auction was so successful that she's doing a second one, starting next Tuesday. I'll let her tell you about it in her own words:

You may remember that last summer I had an auction on eBay to raise money for Cubs Care, CHADD, and Keshet, a school that provides educational and recreational programs for kids with special needs like Autism. I'm proud to say that I made $3,500. Because of this auction, my name was on the scoreboard at Wrigley Field before a game. Also, I got to go on the field and meet my favorite player Scott Eyre in the dugout.

So many people said they loved the auction or missed the auction and hoped I'd have another. So, since the last auction I have been sending letters to players and teams asking for memorabilia. I think this auction will be better than ever. This time I have amazing hard-to-get autographs, including Hall of Famers. I even have tickets to the Cubs-Sox game at US Cellular. BEST OF ALL, a special friend donated a football signed by the ENTIRE SUPER BOWL BEARS TEAM OF 2006-2007. This is something all sports fans need in their collection!

All the proceeds from my auction go to Keshet. I am hoping to raise enough money to sponsor all the Back to School Kits for the kids at Keshet. The auction will begin on May 1, 2007 and will run for 7 days on eBay ending at varying times on May 8, 2007.

I have been assured by Jenna and her mom that if you click on this link in the next day or so, you'll get to a page where you can see all these auctions. This is all for a great cause, and I hope you'll check them out and bid if you're interested.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'd love a few more autographed balls...

...it is difficult to get authentic balls here in Minnesota. Hopefully they are "reasonably" priced; not like Manny Ramirez's grill. :)

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Apr 27, 2007 10:19 AM CDT reply actions

I tried for Mark Grace last year

and was outbid. I'll have to try again this year and see what happens. I'd actually be fairly excited about an Rich Hill ball to go with the scorecard from his first ML win that I got signed at the convention.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Apr 27, 2007 10:33 AM CDT reply actions

The autographed

football is a real prize. Good luck Jenna. I hope you have much success.

TheEman is jealous of my sigs.

by sue369 on Apr 27, 2007 11:55 AM CDT reply actions

I invited

Andre Dawson to my Bar Mitzvah back in the day. I honestly thought he might come. He didn't. It took 15 years, but I got over it.

I got a guy on the other line about some White Walls...I'll talk to you later

by HeyGundy on Apr 27, 2007 12:00 PM CDT reply actions

Absolutely fantastic...

And all the luck and love in the world to you Jenna. Make a million. I just might have a bid.

by bakester on Apr 27, 2007 12:21 PM CDT reply actions

That is really cool!

I never knew that this was done. Really awesome. I couldn't get the link to work, tho.

"Ronny Cedeno seems like the type of guy who could run over himself with his own car.." Earth2Sean

by Matt Allison on Apr 27, 2007 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

It should work...

... once the items actually get posted.

If it doesn't, do an eBay "search by seller" and use "mitzvahproject" (no quotes) as the seller name.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 27, 2007 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

ah yes-

I read the original post too quickly.

"Ronny Cedeno seems like the type of guy who could run over himself with his own car.." Earth2Sean

by Matt Allison on Apr 27, 2007 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Woo hoo!

Go Jenna! $3,500 is fabulous, and I hope she raises even more this time. Way to go.

Ah, I'm excited about this. I've been wondering what Jenna would have up her sleeve and can't wait for the auction to be posted.

by helen on Apr 27, 2007 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

That's pretty awesome

that some kids like her haven't been sucked into the materialistic iPod, cell-phone, gotta-have-that craze and are actually doing something to help others.

I know, I know, I sound like a disgruntled old man right now. But it's cool to see.

/get off my lawn

by GoRedSoxGo on Apr 27, 2007 5:22 PM CDT reply actions

Good Luck Jenna

I hope you raise even more than last year. Al, make sure you give us a post auction up-date. I'd be intersted in knowing how everything turns out. I bet the football itself will raise more than $3500.

by VandalayIndustries on Apr 27, 2007 11:01 PM CDT reply actions