I do not remember much from my childhood, but one memory from when I was eight or nine stayed with me throughout the years.
Many volunteer certificates hung on the wall in my grandmother’s house.
One day she told me:
“Michal, come with me.”
We went to the home of a blind woman and read her a book.
I no longer remember which book it was — but I remember the excitement.
The feeling that even a small act can truly touch another person.
Without realizing it at the time, that moment stayed with me for life.
Over the years, volunteering was always a natural part of my life.
My husband and I performed as magicians in hospitals, and together with our children we distributed kits and helped with community projects.
One day a friend told me about a costume project for wheelchairs in Ra’anana.
I traveled from Haifa to create a costume and returned home very satisfied.
But at home, a conversation awaited me that I will never forget.
“Mom, you travel all the way to Ra’anana when there are children here in Haifa who cannot get there?”
I answered her:
“Okay. Next year there will be one in Haifa too.”
That is how the “Rolling Costumes” project began.
At first there were only a few young volunteers and families who joined through social media.
Very quickly the house filled with fabrics, paints, cardboard and ideas — and entire schools began joining the initiative.
I do not take my family’s support over the years for granted.
The projects often took over our home and required significant personal and financial investment.
One year, when there was barely room to move between the costumes and materials, my husband Daniel smiled and told me:
“Think of it as an annual after-school activity.”
Over the years, the circle continued to grow.
Children, families, schools and communities joined the initiative — and later also companies and groups visiting Israel who wanted to take part in meaningful activities.
Today our volunteering workshops are also held for employees, groups and tourists, helping us continue supporting volunteering opportunities for children in the community.
During one of our volunteering workshops for young children, I sat with Ron, a four-year-old boy, and together we made flowers for elderly people living alone.
His mother explained to him:
“We are making one flower for you, and one flower to give to a grandfather who has no grandchildren.”
At first, Ron strongly resisted.
“Why should I give something to someone else?”
But while we were creating, I could see something changing in him.
He began asking questions, thinking and becoming emotionally involved.
I could see his expression change and his eyes begin to shine.
And in the end — he handed me two flowers, including the one he had made for himself.
It was a moment I will never forget.
Suddenly I understood that volunteering at a young age is much more than simply “doing a good deed.”
It is a way to help children discover empathy, confidence and a sense of capability.
After those experiences, I began reading and researching more deeply.
I discovered many studies showing how experiences of volunteering and empathy at a young age can influence children emotionally, socially and even physically.
But more than the research itself, I saw it happening right in front of me.
I saw children refusing to go out for recess so they could finish making another flower.
I saw children becoming emotional when they understood who they were creating for.
And I saw how small acts create real change — both in the children themselves and in their surroundings.
Today every project in the initiative is built around one simple idea:
How do we create a real opportunity for children to participate, help and feel that they can make an impact?
That is why we try to create projects that are:
Simple and accessible
Adapted to different age groups
Without requiring special expenses
Activities that parents, teachers and guides can easily lead as well
Many of the projects were born from real needs raised by hospitals, schools, families and communities.
Joy Train was also created from a genuine request for an activity that could bring joy to children throughout the year.
Over the past year we also began distributing creative kits to after-school programs, community frameworks and emergency shelters — allowing children in difficult situations to participate in creativity, volunteering and a sense of belonging.
We dream of continuing to expand the circle of children, families and communities taking part in the initiative.
Among the ideas currently in development:
Volunteering-themed birthday celebrations for children
Expanding the activities to additional communities in Israel and around the world
Creating simple and accessible ways for every child to participate — even from home
Because sometimes a small childhood moment can leave a mark for a lifetime.
Best regards
Michal Ben Shabtay, Manger of the Helek initiative
