"Volunteer work has taught me to appreciate my own talents and the gifts that I was given."
—Shifra Mincer
Shifra Mincer (in her own words)
I was raised in New York City where I saw the homeless shivering from cold every winter. In sixth grade, a teacher offered to bring some students to a homeless shelter after school. I went with my friends and the teacher for several weeks, but when they stopped going together I continued to volunteer. Because I knew how to sew, I was asked to help out with the sewing kit if any guests requested some repairs. Throughout high school I continued to come each week after school, setting up my sewing kit that had now grown quite large. I got to know the guests who came regularly and I also got to know their clothes: the jackets, the shirts, the pants, and the shoes that were given to me with gaping holes and sagging seams.
In high school I started a sewing club with my friend and we taught our fellow students how to sew. We made heart-shaped pillows for sick children and the elderly. In college I continue to volunteer at our fully student run homeless shelter, UNILU.
Volunteer work has taught me to appreciate my own talents and the gifts that I was given. With my own hands as a young girl I had the power to repair someone's coat and keep him warm. Every time it rained I would think about the umbrellas I had sewn and suddenly I would appreciate that I was lucky enough to have a home. In the future I hope to continue helping others as much as I can. It is the most fulfilling and most important thing I have ever done.
This billboard about Volunteering features Shifra Mincer.
YOUR COMMENT
thank you
Anonymous, May 16, 2022
Wow.. That is so so kind of you to do. Especially starting at a such a young age?! Much better than the standards of today, now people don't even try. I'm almost finished with High School, and I can tell you that they are super important years to do service work!
Ella C., October 5, 2021
Thanks,Shifra for making me feel like I can do all kinds of talents.
Jenna Herritt from Kent state, April 14, 2020
Wonderful example! May we all have that kind of heart....
Josh from Indiana, December 25, 2018
So inspiring
Anonymous, September 14, 2018
Thank you! God Bless!
Anonymous, July 22, 2018
She inspired me so much!!!
Kaylee from Georgia, June 2, 2018
WOW
will.s from hell, January 31, 2018
you inspire me thanks for helping the poor.
Anonymous, January 9, 2018
This girl, she is wonderful. Our whole class likes her!
Owen from School, August 29, 2017
My muise teacher knows about me
Briannna from Nebraska, September 21, 2016
Your a hero in my eyes
Brianna from Nebraska, September 21, 2016
SO WONDERFUL!!!!!
Brianna from Nebraska, September 21, 2016
=-) Nice!
Jeffery from School, September 12, 2016
so sweet!!!!!!
sally from Clafornia, September 9, 2016
great job
ally from michigan, September 5, 2014
She is a hero in everyone's eyes
Jeremiah from School, April 22, 2014
Your a hero in my eyes
Katie from School , April 17, 2014
OMG how nice to do that like WOW one time my sis made fun of a homeless person and I thought in my head WHAT IF YOU WERE HOMELESS DONT BE MEAN !!!!!!!! Thank you so much Shifra for making the world a better place
Miranda from School, April 16, 2014
we need more people like Shifra maybe then our world would be better
JJS from toronto, January 21, 2014
I used to go to wherever the homeless were, and bring them food when I had it, coats, clothes, etc... I only stopped because I was diagnosed with cancer(10 yrs cancer free!!!) & it is the cancer that has destroyed my body's ability to continue helping the homeless. The will to help is still there, but my body will not allow it usually. :(
JAMES R. from La Porte Indiana, November 16, 2013
I do something like this. Except my family & I give the homeless food. I like seeing their faces & how gratefu they can be.
Alexis from Indiana, August 13, 2013
We need more philanthropists today.
Tuai Siolo from Sacramento, April 2, 2013
It's a good idea that you started this, it shows the homeless people that you care about them. good job!
Chelsea Mccauley from indianapolis, in , March 22, 2012
My grandma sews to!!!!
Jameson S. from Burnt Hills New York, December 12, 2011
nobody thinks about the teacher, and i know that teacher, she is my middle school teacher, and her name is Victoria Ginsberg. She made shifra famous by entering her in chess club!
Mike from ny,ny, October 1, 2011
Shifra Mincer, you're an everyday hero! We need more people like you in the world! Your contribution was nothing like anything else I have heard. Thank-you Shifra Mincer!
Jordan Caldwell(: from Adrian, Michigan , May 23, 2011
Such a sweet story. I used to be in a van club in Atlanta and I was the only woman in it, but we used to crochet and knit for the elderly and go to the nursing homes and sing Christmas carols and give them the gifts for Christmas. I need to do more in that area. Thanks for your wonderful story. It was very touching~~
Zletr Blake from Savannah, GA, May 21, 2011
She's such a caring person. Who would have ever thought to do that?
Tiara Hudson from Conneicut, February 8, 2011
That is so sweet to donate clothes.
pinkloven from ohio , January 31, 2011
You're beautiful, don't change.
jack f from reno nev, December 3, 2010
Serving others is the key to happiness.
jeff m from omaha ne, December 3, 2010
Shifra you are one in a million. God bless you always, for being so caring, and for sharing with others.
Teresa S from West Monroe , LA, October 6, 2010
I like what you're doing, Shifra. You're in good company.
Harry S. from Sarangkot, September 13, 2010
You are an absolute sweetheart - the world needs more young people like you - an inspiration to us all.
Kim B. from United Kingdom, July 22, 2010
Live life to the fullest!!
Carter, K from Long Beach, CA, March 23, 2010
A very inspiring piece of art.
Joanna H. from Monkey Land, March 23, 2010
I learned that maybe I should start to volunteer to help others. I am so selfish that maybe one day, I too, can grow up to be like Shifra. I am pretty sure that she is living her life quite proud that she was able to help all of those people that she did.
Lauren C from U.S.A, March 18, 2010
Your story made me want to cry. You are as beautiful as you are amazing. Your story inspires us all.
April S. from Chandler, AZ, January 29, 2010
Life is a song worth singing. So sing loudly.
Zaundra H from Meriden CT, December 13, 2009
Shifra, I really appreciate you because you are doing something that many of us can do but don't. Lets remember that this body is not meant to just "smear sandal paste" but it is for the service of fellow human beings.
Kirthishri M.V. from Bangalore, India, November 3, 2009
Awesome how she kept doing it even though she didn`t have to and for so long, even encouraging other students to take part.
Jimmy U. from Brookings, Oregon, May 20, 2009
It is so neat to see a young woman helping others that don't have a home. Also providing them clothes and blanket to keep the family warm for the winter. This is also a very good example for those who are willing to help homeless around the world. Shifra is a very good example of how she saw a homeless shivering from cold in the winter and made a blanket sewed by hand.
Lily L. from Missouri, May 12, 2009
You're an inspiration to many and it was a pleasure to meet you. You have done and will continue to do great things in life. Don't waste your talent.
Matthew M. from Boston, MA, March 26, 2009
She does what my mom does!
Elizabeth W. from Canada, ON, March 24, 2009
We have it somewhere in our soul (a genuine drive to reach out) but the pressures of life seem to be stunting it. We can only realize our worth when we break the cuffs and reach out. This is what this billboard is helping people do. The effect lingers in my soul.
Chike-Iyo, F. from P.H. Nigeria, February 24, 2009
THIS IS ESSENCE OF LIFE. IT IS PATHWAY TO DISCOVERING YOUR REAL YOU AND WHAT YOU ARE CONFIGURED TO TO BE AND TO DO.
HENRY from LAGOS, NIGERIA, January 2, 2009
I love the saying at the end, "Mends more than just clothes." I almost cried , so simple, such a good example though.
Madison. T from McMinnville, Or, November 18, 2008
Thank you for this story. Volunteering has always been something I wanted to do; I just never knew where to start. But now I guess I don't need to think about complicated things. And thank you for this sentence: "Volunteer work has taught me to appreciate my own talents and the gifts that I was given." Maybe this is what I've been searching for...
Dorothy H. from Hungary, November 1, 2008
It is very nice thing to think of others before yourself. When you do good things, good things will happen.
Jessica H. from Saginaw, M, May 28, 2008
These are excellent! I would love to see one (or more) in Orlando, FL.
Dana W. from Orlando, Florida USA, December 4, 2007
Wow Wow Wow! I am in awe. I now know more than ever what must do. Find way to better serve People and our Planet. Help people any way I can, A smile,a wave, a kind act of generosity. May I assist you?
Manny R from Catalina, Arizona USA, November 27, 2007
If nobody ever volunteered, nothing would be done with care and love.
Jean K. from Oregon, USA, November 16, 2007
Volunteering in our community is a very precious thing to do and this...this will make it happen.
Abby L. from Edison, New Jersey, USA, November 14, 2007
May you be blessed over-abundantly for the work you do for the homeless. I was one many years ago myself. And it doesn't hurt that you have the most genuine and warm smile I've ever seen on a human being.
Thomas M. from St. Louis, Missouri, USA, September 22, 2007
Interesting and impressive! Initiatives of Shifra take a her eternally forward. Motivations within a person can be so inspiring and so beautiful! Good example set by Shifra!!
Mahendra B. from Mumbai, India, September 20, 2007
to help the poor
euniceomagu from Nigeral Enugu, July 27, 2007
story that inspired her to do this is worth a peek for all
channy from Mumbai, July 10, 2007
I pass by your billboard everyday in Austin, Texas, and there are so many homeless here, I think that they appreciate you helping others like them, your generosity and goodwill will serve you well in life.
Crystal N from Austin, Texas USA, May 25, 2007
Shows that we can do much more than give just money for the needy.
chioma ike from Nigeria, May 7, 2007
Such a cute young girl...helping others around the world.
Eunice R. from Evenston, WY, April 9, 2007
