At MitzvahChic, we are often asked which charities sell invitations. There are way too few. Every charity - and you should tell them so! - should partner with an invitation manufacturer to offer invitations because so many parents want their invitation to perform tzedakah. Until more charities awaken to this opportunity, though, there's no reason you can't take matters into your own hands by making a donation (usually $5 per invitation) to a charity of your choice and printing in whatever invitation you use that a donation has been made in honor of the guest. Meanwhile, here are the existing opportunities we know about.

A MitzvahChic reader, Tammy Schneider, adds: There are many places to find invitations that perform tzedakah - just a little creative thinking or a little digging will result in something terrific! UNICEF sells shells (blank cards) at Pier 1 and other places, Hadassah has lots of shells, etc. and you can by a stack and go to a printer. Paper Source has a link with the Make-a-Wish foundation. Even local schools often sell notecards as fundraisers and they make wonderful invites featuring children's artwork. Just buying the blanks cards benefits the organization!

Link Information: Invitations that buy trees: http://www.jnf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=simcha ; invitations that support Righteous Gentiles: www.jfr.org ; invitations that support autistic and special needs people: www.keshet.org

At JAFCO (Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options), in Sunrise Florida, we have a village where we provide a safe and loving environment for up to 50 children at one time through our 16-bed emergency shelter and 6 group homes. We are the only Jewish organization with a village of this kind in the country. We are also currently serving over 350 children in the tri-state area with our different services.

We sell beautiful pillows as party favors for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs. Each pillow has the Shema prayer on it surrounded by the beautiful artwork that we have in our ark at JAFCO. All proceeds benefit the JAFCO Children's village for abused and neglected children in South Florida by maintaining the homes that we have provided for these children.

Please contact us with any additional information that you may need or questions you might have. On behalf of the children at JAFCO, we thank you.

 

Our son, Ryan Marinelli, decided to find a new home for all the unwanted and unused Bar/Bat Mitzvah Kippots. So months before his Bar Mitzvah, which was August 23, 2006, he began contacting family and friends to get all kippots that were extras. Before long he had hundreds. He contacted the Jewish Federation in West Hartford, CT and was able to send along with some of their Marketing People, kippots to Odessa and Poland during Purim of 2006. This wonderful mitzot project continued and before long, Ryan and his mom found a contact in Israel that would find a new temple and several soldier bases that they could be used at. Kippots were taken to Israel via Ryan's temple Educator during Passover 2006. Many people still to this date, send Ryan unused kippots which he donates to local Jewish Camps.

The same party favor that the NY Yankees chose for their 2007 Season Opener party! These fabulous shortbread baseball-shaped cookies in their own tin are from baseball's hometown and are a favorite of many national baseball teams. Cooperstown Cookie Company makes them from all natural ingredients with no preservatives or additives. Each product comes
with a baseball trivia question researched by the staff of the baseball
Hall of Fame.

 

 A real win-win combination. You get a terrific treat and the chance to help endangered animals with these beautiful chocolate bars. The company not only helps animals but uses eco-friendly technology in everything they do. AND THEY GIVE A  DISCOUNT TO VISITORS COMING FROM MITZVAHCHIC.COM!!! 

I've Done My Part is a non-profit charity created to raise money for Jewish Charities by targeting the parents throwing Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties and vendors who provide services for Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties. I've Done My Part will support Jewish non-for-profit charities to promote the advancement of the Jewish religion. Specifically, I've Done My Part will support child welfare, poverty, religious and Holocaust awareness and tolerance towards the betterment of the Jewish religion.

It is our aim at I've Done My Part to collect at least 10-20% of the party's cost and/or 10-20% of the gifts received, and then we will donate those proceeds to various Jewish Charities. To review a list of some of the charities we donate to, please visit our site and refer to the "Charities"" tab. Of course, your donation requests will be honored as best we can, but cannot be guaranteed, due to certain laws governing non-profit corporations.

In addition, we want vendors, such as, photographers, videographers, florists, caterers, etc., who provide services to Bar/Bat Mitzvah parties to make donations so please ask your vendors to visit our site and consider becoming one of our certified participants!