GALA
JFS’ 2008 Evening of Valor…a shining success
On Sunday, October 26, more than 250 guests celebrated Jewish Family Services’ Evening of Valor at the Orlando Lake Mary Marriott hotel, paying tribute to people who have make a powerful difference in our community and honoring a special agency that has enriched the lives of thousands of people.
Guests enjoyed the evening by dining on delicious hors d’oeuvres and a scrumptious dinner, bidding on silent auction items that included jewelry, trips and artwork by well-known artists and enjoying the evening with friends. Welcoming the guests was Mistress of Ceremony, Jackie Brockington, Central Florida News 13 anchor and JFS Board member.
The evening was highlighted with the presentation by Madeline Wolly of the George Wolly Community Leadership award to Hope Kramer and Joe Lefkowitz, for their dedication and volunteerism to the Jewish and secular communities. Both honorees delivered heartwarming speeches and the crowd was genuinely touched by their speeches.
JFS President, Marty Sherman, asked one of Joe Lefkowitz’s grandchildren, who came down from Jacksonville to celebrate the evening with her grandfather, to draw the winning ticket for Dining Around Town, a very popular package of 13 spectacular $100 restaurant gift cards. Zena Sulkes, who was out of town and could not attend the gala, was this year’s lucky recipient. “JFS’ call was the first message I heard when I turned on my cell phone!” exclaimed Zena when she heard that she was the winner.”You have to play to win!”
This year’s Evening of Valor, which is JFS’ major fundraiser for the year, raised more than $200,000…important dollars to help JFS maintain the highest level of care for all people in our community. From the youngest of clients through its adoption program to JFS’ older adult services, by helping older adults remain independent as long as possible, JFS is there to lend a helping hand or a supportive ear.
In the near future, JFS will begin planning the 2009 Evening of Valor. If you are interested in becoming an active participant on this meaningful project, please contact Es Cohen,
Director of Development at 407-644-7593, extension 241.
Pictured below are photos from this year's Evening of Valor, including the 2008 George Wolly Community Leadership recipients (top right photo) Patty DeYoung (left) and Patti Ambinder (right), with board member and presenter Madeline Wolly.
ANNUAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS
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KINDER TO KINDER
The goal of JFS’ Kinder-to-Kinder program is aimed at giving the youth of our community an opportunity to give back to other children, while at the same time teaching the spirit of volunteerism and community service. The Kinder-to-Kinder program is an interfaith holiday program for children. For the past several years, Kinder-to-Kinder visited the children at the Crisis Nursery, a facility that provides a safe and home-like environment for children ages 2 months through 11 years old. Children have been placed in the nursery for a variety of reasons including substance abuse, families dealing with domestic violence and homelessness.
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SCHOOL MATTERS
School Matters is a JFS school supply drive, ensuring less fortunate elementary to high school-age students have the needed materials to succeed in school. At JFS, school matters, and that's why we want every child who comes through the doors at JFS to have the right tools.
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GET CAUGHT CARING
Get Caught Caring is a JFS Mitzvah Project, helping families and children in our local community who are facing financial, health or other challenges during the holiday season by providing them with the ability to have gifts for their children and food for their holiday meals. Open your heart to individuals and families whose holiday celebration will be sparse this year. No gifts for the children. No holiday meals. No joy. Get Caught Caring!
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FEINSTEIN $1,000,000 CHALLENGE
Allen Shawn Feinstein, a philanthropist from Rhode Island, can't believe we have hungry people in our country. In 1998, he began his challenge…encouraging agencies throughout the nation to hold local food drives to help combat hunger. In return, participating agencies receive a percentage of the $1,000,000, in proportion of the total amount raised by all participants. Annually, during the months of March and April, JFS collects canned and non-perishable goods, accepts cash and asks local businesses and synagogues to hold food drives.
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CENTERPIECES FOR TZEDAKAH
Centerpieces for Tzedakah is a program that provides beautifully decorated centerpiece baskets that are available for rent for special occasions from Jewish Family Services. Gorgeous baskets are filled with a representation of assorted packages of food items. They are attractively wrapped in clear cellophane and decorated. These baskets are ideally sized for centerpieces and will be delivered directly to your party. Coordinated centerpieces, specifically designed for buffet tables and the bimah at your synagogues, are also available for rental.
These unique centerpieces provide a wonderful opportunity for your family to give “tzedakah”, or donation, as you celebrate your special event. Funds raised through the rental of the baskets will be used to purchase food for those in need and stock our Pearlman Pantry.
For more information and to reserve your centerpieces, call Terry Nebel at 407-644-7593. -
FRIENDS CAMPAIGN
During the months of May and June, Jewish Family Services initiates its annual Friends Campaign. This annual fundraiser is one of the primary funding sources necessary to operate JFS’ vital programs and services. As the needs and the costs of services continues to rise, the Friends Campaign donations help support the day-to-day bills, maintain vital programs and services while helping to feed the hungry, care for young and old and more.
The support of the Friends Campaign by the community is critical to the success of JFS’ quality programs and services for individuals, children and families. When life’s challenges become overwhelming, people in the greater Orlando area turn to JFS for help in overcoming those troubles.
