Kandy Walker Sartori works as an organizer, helping clients get rid of clutter.
On Sunday, she brought her skills to the area's annual Mitzvah Day, ''purging clutter'' — in the form of overgrown shrubs —
outside an Akron group home for developmentally disabled adults.
Walker Sartori, a Norton resident, was among more than 200 volunteers of different faiths who did good deeds — mitzvahs — for a variety of local nonprofits.
''There's been a lot to do,'' Walker Sartori, a member of Akron's Temple Israel congregation, said as she worked outside the group home in West Akron that is operated by United Disa
bility Services.
Mitzvah means ''commandment' in Hebrew and is commonly translated as a good deed.
Jewish congregations across the country observe Mitzvah Day.
In 2003, Temple Israel invited other area faiths to join in a day of good deeds.
This year, participating congregations were Temple Israel, St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Akron, the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fairlawn, First Congregational Church of Akron, the Islamic Society of Akron and Kent and St. Vincent Catholic Church in Akron.
Susan Clements, this year's volunteer coordinator and a member of Temple Israel, said: ''For me, the biggest part of Mitzvah Day is that congregations of various faiths come together. The more diversity we have, the happier it makes me.''
Tom Hoch, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church who lives in Coventry Township, was among the 15 volunteers at the United Disability Services home.
He joined Dale Cook, a member of St. Vincent who lives in Akron, in clearing out shrubs.
The two men happily discovered they had teaching in common. Hoch is a high school teacher and Cook is an education professor.
''It's always good to meet new people — and also try to help somebody out,'' Cook said.''
Laurie Freedman, director of respite and community living services for United Disability Services, was again grateful for the help.
Mitzvah Day volunteers have helped at the agency's group homes for several years.
''We can't take care of all this stuff ourselves,'' she said outside the home as volunteers planted flowers and trimmed overgrown shrubs.
The residents of the home ''love it,'' she said. ''They take real pride in their house and they love it when Mitzvah Day comes and [the volunteers] do the flowers and the trimming.''
This year, the busy volunteers even came up with additional chores for themselves. Some are planning to return this week to wash the back deck.
''They work from the minute they get here,'' Freedman said.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
