One of the most popular events on the calendar the 28th Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon of the Miami Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged at Douglas Gardens (MJHHA) recently brought together an enthusiastic crowd to applaud the contributions of these special men and women. Feted at the luncheon were Yetta Brodie, Volunteer of the Year; Evelyn Kopelman, Volunteer Auxilian; Howard “Hesh” Chassen, New Volunteer Achiever; Rosa Giuliana Saavedra, Teen Volunteer of the Year; and the Holiday Outreach Program of the Aventura Marketing Council, Outstanding Service Award recipient. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers were honored at this special event for the 92,696 hours they devoted in the past year to enhance the lives of the 700 elderly people who reside on the Douglas Gardens campus.
(front row l-r) Yetta Brodie, Volunteer of the Year; Evelyn Kopelman, Volunteer Auxilian; Randy Stern, Co-Chairman of the Aventura Marketing Councils Holiday Outreach Program, Outstanding Service Award recipient; and Rosa Giuliana Saavedra, Teen Volunteer of the Year; (back row l-r) Judge Irving Cypen, Chairman of the Board Emeritus and Honorary President; Stuart Geller, Chairman of the Aventura Marketing Councils Holiday Outreach Program; Howard “Hesh” Chassen, New Volunteer Achiever; Lourdes Boue, Chief Financial Officer; Fred Stock, Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director of the Nursing Home & Hospital; Dr. Daniel Brady, Executive Director of Community-Based Services; and Susan Willenborg, Director of Volunteers.
As he announced Yetta Brodie as this year’s “Volunteer of the Year,” Chairman of the Board Emeritus and Honorary President Irving Cypen described her as someone who “gives her time, talent and limitless enthusiasm to the Miami Jewish Home four or five days a week.” In addition to serving as President of the Home’s Greater Miami Womens Auxiliary, Yetta is a Star Club FOUNDER, Board member, and member of the Gift of the Heart Society, Junior Auxiliary, Douglas Gardens Golf Classic Committee and “Circle of Service” volunteer recruitment club. She brings cheer to everyone who visits the Ungar Ice Cream Parlor, which is where she spends many hours every week making fabulous egg creams, milkshakes and conversation.
Evelyn Kopelman received the Volunteer Auxilian Award for her dual role as both volunteer and a Board member and officer of the Junior Auxiliary, one of the Home’s many support groups. A Founder of the Home, she was honored as the Junior Auxiliarys 1994 Woman of the Year. Evelyn has dedicated the last thirty years of her life to enriching the lives of the elderly, working as a friendly visitor and staffing the Toppel information desk, among many other mitzvot.
Recognized for his contributions using his knowledge of Hebrew, Yiddish and English for his frequent visits and group activities with the Homes residents and providing many Shabbat services, Mens Club member Howard “Hesh” Chassen was named the 2005 New Volunteer Achiever. Rosa Giuliana Saavedra, an honor student at MAST Academy, received the Teen Volunteer of the Year Award for her 6oo hours of service utilizing her knowledge of Spanish, French and English to bring joy to the elderly. Stuart Geller, Star Club Founder, President of the Aventura Notables and Chairman of the Holiday Outreach Program of the Aventura Marketing Council, and Randy Stern, Co-Chair of the Holiday Outreach Program, accepted the 2005 Outstanding Service Award for the groups holiday visits to the Home to provide entertainment to the residents.
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