Local Jews, Muslims join Christmas Day volunteer effort

WEST BLOOMFIELD (AP) -- Jews and Muslims will visit nursing home patients Tuesday in the Detroit area, serve holiday meals, deliver toys to needy children and take part in other projects so Christian volunteers and workers can celebrate Christmas Day with their families. The activities are part of the annual Mitzvah Day -- the largest day of volunteering by Detroit's Jewish community. Volunteers will work with 40 social service agencies at 40 sites. It's the program's fourth year. Some grandparents, parents and children will volunteer as families. Some volunteers will sort books at Bookstock Depot in West Bloomfield, prepare meals at a shelter in Oak Park and sort food at a food bank. Mitzvah Day is presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Published: Mon, Dec 24, 2012