By Robin Cohen (YLD volunteer)
Your favorite day of the year might be Hanukkah: family, gifts and an excuse to eat donuts…who could blame you! For others it might be Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashanah or even Red Sox opening day. See, I like Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah and even Red Sox opening day too (hello, free JP Licks!). For me, though, it’s a day in late August, when high-fives are doled out like they’re going out of style, smiles are across everyone’s faces, and I am most proud to be a part of the Boston Jewish community. My favorite day of the year is Yom Sport.
I have been an active and very enthusiastic volunteer of Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Friend 2 Friend program for the past five years. Each month through Friend 2 Friend’s MAGIC (Monthly Activity Group In the Community), I get together with my friend Dmitriy for a night of fun and friendship. Dmitriy is 28 years old, works at Star Market and has a smile that will light up any room. He loves to go to Red Sox games, chat about his brother, and explore new places in Boston. Dmitriy has a smile that is infectious, gives the very best hugs, and knows every back road in the Boston area. Dmitriy also happens to have a disability. If you ask Dmitriy his favorite day of the year, he too would say Yom Sport.
Yom Sport, now in its 18th year (chai!), is Boston’s day of sports for adults with disabilities. More than 180 athletes and 120 young adult volunteers come together to toss the football, practice the standing broad jump, and celebrate a community that is stronger when we celebrate it together. It is fun, rewarding, and a day that volunteers and athletes alike look forward to. I can’t tell you how often Dmitriy asks me when Yom Sport is this year, because he can’t wait to see friends and meet the new volunteers.
D and I are both counting the days until our favorite day of the year and hope you’ll consider joining us. We’ll both be smiling.
YLD and Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters are hosting the 18th Annual Yom Sport on Sunday, August 18th, from 10am-3pm. Any young adult volunteers interested in giving back should sign-up online (must be 20 years or older).
If you’d like to volunteer, but cannot commit to the date, please join YLD for it’s Sign-Making Party on Wed, August 14, from 7-8:30pm at CJP (126 High Street). Interested volunteers can email BryanneM@cjp.org to RSVP.
Athletes interested in competing at Yom Sport can find more information on JBBBS’s website.
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