Some of the greatest lessons that I have learned in life have come from camp. Greene is a super special place to meet life long friends, grow up, learn about yourself, become independent, and learn to be a leader in the community. In my seven years as a camper, I have met amazing people and have learned from them tremendously. Not only were these people campers, they were counselors, avodahnikim, song leaders, faculty members, and directors. I have had the honor of working with the song leaders for many summers and learning what it is like to lead a group of people.
While at camp, I have helped led numerous services, song sessions, and session jams for our unit. When in this position, I have to guide people and have learned to “read the room.” For me, song leading is a mitzvah and way of giving back through music and prayer. In my everyday life, this is something that I do in many ways and not just through music! I love to volunteer with many organizations,
one of which has a very special place
in my heart. Completing mitzvot is a pillar of the values that Greene instills in its campers.
Outside of camp, I was nominated to lead a team from my High School in a fundraising competition for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society called Students of the Year! Students of the Year program is a seven-week campaign during which select high school students participate in a fundraising competition to drive forward The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) mission to end blood cancers. The team that raises the most money at the end of the competition will earn the title Student(s) of the Year. The students raise money in honor of a local patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer. Students utilize professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to reach their goal. In addition to being a mitzvah, these learned skills will hopefully help participating students to stand out when applying for college or jobs.
I am honored to have been selected by my high school, Ridge Point, and LLS to represent Team Crushin’ It. We have a team goal of $90,000 and we can’t do it alone! My personal goal is to raise $12,000 in the next 7 weeks for this amazing organization that has given me so much! I have learned so many skills including giving professional presentations to potential corporate sponsors, contacting and communicating with potential sponsors, problem solving, and figuring out how to raise the most money to CRUSH CANCER!
I would love it if you could help my team and, more importantly, this cause in any way in which you are able. We have put together a virtual 5K in which participants can sign up to run any time between now and March 5th. All we ask is that you share the link to the 5K or our fundraising page. Below are the links to my donation page at which you can make a tax-deductible donation or sign up for our 5K. Anyway that you can help is extremely appreciated!
I can’t wait to be back at camp this summer as an avodah and share what I have learned from this leadership opportunity! If you have any questions, please reach out to me at dhbeckelman@gmail.com!
5k link: https://thedriven.net/event-registration/site.race_reg/eid/39071013568
Fundraising page: https://events.lls.org/txg/HoustonSOY21/dbeckelman