About Us
Count Me In was started in 2005 by Eric Berdinis and Ben Rice, two teenagers entering their first year of high school. They wanted to be involved in a community service project throughout their high school years in which they could make a difference in other people’s lives. The boys came up with the idea of donating Hanukkah gifts because it was something that had never been done before in the greater Houston area. They wished that all children, regardless of their family’s financial situation, could experience the excitement they felt as kids lighting the menorah and receiving gifts for Hanukkah. Their strong beliefs in the Jewish value of tzedakah fueled the inception and formation of Count Me In, Inc.
Since 2005, Count Me In has undergone significant changes. Count Me In is now a program of Lonestar Region BBYO to encourage teen community service and involvement in the Jewish community. As a fully incorporate non-profit organization, it serves more than just children and teens during the holiday season. The recipient base has multiplied to include hundreds of adults and senior citizens undergoing hospital treatment or residing in assisted living facilities. Count Me In has also added a “family bag” to each family’s group of gift bags so that they can celebrate the holiday in more ways than just gift-giving. Each “family bag” includes all of the Hanukkah necessities: a prayer sheet, a menorah, a full set of candles, dreidels, chocolate gelt, and potato latke mix. Of course, none of this would be possible without the ever-increasing number of generous donors and volunteers. Count Me In is always looking for new ways to serve the community, and appreciates all feedback and ideas from its donors and recipients.
