The Impact Care Awards Dinner reflected upon 28 Leeds teenagers’ commitment to community service.
130 people attended the recent Impact Care Awards Dinner, all of whom were parents, community figures, and teenagers dedicated to serving their community. The event celebrated 28 local teens’ many months of involvement in community care work, arranged by CTeen Chabad Lubavitch.
Working in groups, the teens distributed food and clothing to the homeless in Leeds city centre; assisted in the Leeds Jewish Welfare Board charity shop; served tea and chatted to residents of Skyte House and Burton Way; they baked and delivered goodies to the elderly for Purim; assisted at Beavers Cubs; held a sponsored carwash; did litter-picking on Queenshill Estate; and interviewed older residents with Adopt-a-Senior, all of these kind acts were captured in an inspirational video which was shown before the audience.
Comperes for the evening and former participants of CTeen, Reece Walton and Joey Rosenberg, introduced the evening saying: “We were asked to run this super evening because we took part last year, and we just think that involvement in Impact Care Awards made such an impact on our lives.”
During the sumptuous meal, video greetings were shown from Chief Rabbi Mirvis and Israel Ambassador Mrs Tzipi Hotovely. The Ambassador said: “I am so happy so many teenagers are involved to volunteer to give such great love to the community. This is real Jewish values.” A letter of support from the Prime Minister’s office was also read out to thank the dedicated teens.
Some participants were invited to speak about their experiences, two young girls Angel and Evie spoke about their work with CTeen saying: “We have really enjoyed this unique opportunity to serve our community. The activities we chose were a lot of fun and we have learned such a lot!”
Light entertainment was provided by local entrepreneur Oliver Levey while Rabbi Shlomie Cohen, Director of Judaics in a large Florida day school, mesmerised the crowd by recalling his personal journey and life story. He described his own challenges, and how he dealt with them, leaving everyone with a powerful life message: “My friends. Life is not always smooth sailing. We all face our own battles. Be it bullying or sickness or something else, it is all too often a part of our journey. But I want you to know that you are not defined by the challenges you face. You are defined by the way you choose to respond to them.”
The guest of honour was Mrs Lea Ziff who presented the teens with their awards. Reece and Joey described how Mrs Ziff continues the legacy of her late husband Paul who was well-known for his passionate and trailblazing commitment to supporting a variety of charities.
Rabbi Reuven Cohen, Director of Chabad Lubavitch Youth Organisation, thanked all the sponsors, participating community organisations, and of course to the teens themselves. He said: “To quote the Lubavitcher Rebbe, may we all continue to do something additional in the realm of goodness and kindness, and thereby bring Moshiach into a world of peace and harmony, tranquillity and abundance.”