Rachel Walters

Congregation Shaare Emeth

Rachel loves working with kids, so it’s no wonder that she wanted her mitzvah project to focus on children. And, because one of her uncles has a mental disability, children with special needs have a special place in her heart.

Daughter of Linda Zelson and Jim Walters of St. Louis County, Rachel’s first project was volunteering at the Children’s Home Society of Missouri. She spent time visiting and interacting with the children at the Litszinger facility. “The amazing thing was that she did not see their disabilities,” said Linda. “She just saw how adorable they were.” On another occasion, Rachel and a few other Shaare Emeth volunteers helped wrap holiday gifts for the children.

In addition to her volunteer time, Rachel and her family donated 10 large gift baskets containing “wish list” items such as baking pans, diapers, baby bottles, clothing, receiving blankets and towels and washcloths. These items were used for their Nurturing Parenting Program for new at-risk moms with factors such as poverty, drugs, single parent, etc. This program helps prevent child abuse and neglect in mothers who have young babies who are more likely to abuse.

Rachel learned that kids with disabilities like the same things as any other kid. “I didn’t see the wheelchair, I saw the person,” she said. “I learned about a lot more issues and diseases like Shaken Baby Syndrome. And, once you get to know them, you really get touched by their stories,” she added.

A student at Parkway Northeast Middle School, Rachel also volunteered at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis (DSAGSL) and the Special Olympics. For DSAGSL, Rachel handed out T-shirts to the marathon participants prior to the race. At their holiday party she worked the craft table and interacted with the kids helping them create projects to take home. “That’s all they wanted was to have fun and it was cute to see their big attitudes,” she said. During the Special Olympics bowling tournament, Rachel was a bowling lane assistant helping the kids get their ball and cheering them on.

“All of the places I went, all the kids were just so innocent, sweet and happy. Some people say I only see the good in people,” Rachel expressed.