JVN Blog

Dassa Shalev and Harley Benson, two pupils at JCoss, were the brains behind a Schwopping Charity Event held at Dassa’s home in Finchley.

The girls, both age 12 and 13 sent out e mails and flyers, to everyone they knew to advertise the event as well as setting up a Chai fundraising page.

Anyone bringing clothes or books donated £10 on the door  (£5 for anyone under 18) then Dassa and Harley got to work, setting up the clothes on rails,complete with a dedicated changing room and full length mirrors so everyone could see their purchases!

It was a lovely, relaxed event and halfway through the Chief Executive of Chai Cancer Care. Lisa Steele talked about the amazing work they do to support cancer sufferers and their families.

The inspiration behind their volunteering came from their participation in the Yoni Jesner award scheme. Pupils are asked to clock up 20 hours of volunteering in order to get points. Both the girls

have achieved the target and will be given a certificate next week at the Award Ceremony which will be held in Camden and attended by VIP’s.

Both the girls have been in the Community Fun Run twice and are involved in their school Social Action Group which organises regular volunteering activities such as ‘Manna from Heaven,’ making sandwiches for the homeless, parties for Norwood at Chanukah and Shavuot, packing for GIFT to name but a few. 

Girls, we at JVN take our hats off to you for your amazing volunteering – talking of hats, we heard you sold quite a few straw hats in advance of the Jubilee weekend, but we hear it’s going to rain ! No matter, we will keep calm and carry on !