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Teenager Makes CHMK a Part of Her Special Day

Before celebrating the ceremony of becoming a Bat Mitzvah recently, Solon teenager Simone Light wanted to find a way to make her coming-of-age occasion even more special to others. Her love of two things—family and summer camp—led Simone to make special contributions to Camp Ho Mita Koda in honor of her big day.

In the Jewish tradition at or around the age of 13, many girls take part in a temple service called a Bat Mitzvah service, or for boys, a Bar Mitzvah service. These young people are recognized at this time as adults in their synagogues and are held responsible for their actions from then on. In many instances, these young people organize a “good deed” or “mitzvah project” as part of their new responsibilities.

Simone’s two grandfathers have diabetes, so she was certain she wanted to do something for children with diabetes. She thought about how much she loves attending summer camp each year and decided that helping a summer camp for children with diabetes would be the perfect project for her.

With diabetes and summer camp in mind, Simone began research on summer camps for children with diabetes. Little did she know that the country’s oldest camp for children with diabetes was located so close to her home! Simone found the Camp Ho Mita Koda website and was delighted to find the camp’s “Wish List”. As part of her Bat Mitzvah celebration invitations, Simone included a list of “CHMK wish list” items for guests to bring to her Bat Mitzvah party. That evening, she collected dozens of much-needed items for camp including craft items, office supplies, and cleaning supplies.

“We are touched by Simone’s generosity,” said Julie Hewitt, camp manager. “She has no connection to camp other than her desire to help make our campers’ summer experience as special as her own. That is true charity.”

The staff of Camp Ho Mita Koda and the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland thanks Simone for choosing our camp as the recipient of her “mitzvah project” and for helping other children enjoy their summer, too.

Simone Light with some of the items she collected for Camp.