With a unique “drive-by” celebration on Thursday, October 22, 2020, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, our staff and Board of Directors distributed gifts, handed out awards, and treated attendees to made-to-order Polpos’ Pizza. All this took place to an upbeat soundtrack that kept the masked participants dancing, smiling, and waving their “Thank You!” signs as attendees drove from station to station at the event. The original volunteer recognition event was postponed from March 26 due to the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.
Our volunteers are the heartbeat of JFCS, a selfless group magnifies our ability to achieve our mission by taking on a host of important tasks.
In addition to thank you gifts for all its volunteers, JFCS gave special Award recognitions to the following people and organizations that went above and beyond during the year:
Acts of Loving Kindness – Norma Goldberg
Children’s Services – Laurence Barnet
Community Outreach – Sheila Birnbaum
Corporate Citizen – Sunset Chevrolet
Gloria & Lois Flanzer Philanthropy – Charles & Margery Barancik
Humanitarian – Skip Sack
Jewish Life Education – Chabad of Sarasota
Jewish Spirituality – Jewish Federation
L’Dor V’Dor Legacy – Frank Buffone & Carter Foundation
Management Services – William Sheridan
Organizational Impact – Intake Team (Elinor Burstein, Jerome Fleischer, Sandra Gans, Michael Reed, Greta Roberts)
Rabbi E Sanford & Leah Saperstein Hope & Healing – Toby Deutsch
Senior Outreach – Joan Gaberman
Sidney J. Berkowitz Building Community – Marc & Ruthellen Rubin
Visionary – Eric Kaplan
“This has been a stressful year for so many in our community and our volunteers have been absolutely critical to our ability to step in and help where we could,” notes JFCS Board of Directors Chair Dean Miller. “Dozens of people continued working right through this difficult time, handling client intake, calling or writing letters to seniors in isolation, delivering meals and dropping off groceries. It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to thank them personally for their extraordinary dedication.”
http://www.yourobserver.com/photo-gallery/jewish-family-and-childrens-service-of-the-suncoast-throws-volunteer-appreciation-celebration?time=1603504517
