{"id":44714,"date":"2024-07-12T01:44:09","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T08:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/?p=44714"},"modified":"2024-07-10T10:40:58","modified_gmt":"2024-07-10T17:40:58","slug":"fundraising-for-vital-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/2024\/07\/12\/fundraising-for-vital-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Fundraising for vital services"},"content":{"rendered":"

Larry Vinegar, left, and Marcy Schwartzman with Daniel Steiner, who presented them with the Lighting the Way Award at JFS Innovators 2024 on May 28. (photo by Kliri Photography)<\/i><\/p>\n

JFS Innovators 2024: 18 Years of Lighting the Way raised more than $420,000. \u201cWith donations raised by Innovators 2024, we can provide holistic, wrap-around care \u2013 the kind that recognizes individual needs, situations and life stages,\u201d Tanja Demajo, chief executive officer of Jewish Family Services, told the Independent. \u201cPicture this: a single mom dealing with a debt after divorce, trying to care for her child with autism on a limited income, as her caretaker role and employment conflict each other. With these funds, we are not just filling their fridges, we are nourishing their well-being and giving them the fuel to keep going when it\u2019s hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

The annual fundraising event, which was presented this year by Pollock Clinics, took place the evening of May 28 at Parq Vancouver. Originally a luncheon affair, the new approach was well-received, said Innovators 2024 committee co-chairs Candice and Todd Thal. In an email, they shared some of the feedback they had received: \u201cGreat event. Positive responses to the change in format. Open bar and food elevated the evening. Video was informative and touching.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Innovators 2024 co-chairs Candice and Todd Thal. (photo by Kliri Photography)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Thals have been involved with JFS as donors and volunteers for many years, because they value that JFS \u201csupports our local community, regardless of age, race or religion.\u201d As co-chairs of Innovators, they were responsible for, among other things, marketing and communication, corporate sponsorship and overall event planning, which included sourcing a venue, integrating new fundraising strategies, and developing a menu.<\/p>\n

The event started with a welcome and land acknowledgement by actor Christina Chang, who was the night\u2019s emcee. Demajo spoke, offering an overview of JFS and Innovators, and Daniel Steiner presented the Lighting the Way Award to Larry Vinegar and Marcy Schwartzman. After a video featuring former JFS clients Sammy and Tadelu, auctioneer Fred Lee got people bidding. The proceedings wrapped up with remarks from the Thals, who told the Independent<\/i> that their favourite part of the night was \u201cwatching over 350 happy and engaged people come to support the new Innovators format.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving so many people come together to support JFS on this special anniversary of the Innovators event was very inspiring and such a lovely way to spend the evening,\u201d agreed Demajo.<\/p>\n

The presentation of the Lighting the Way Award was a highlight. The honour was established to recognize and celebrate \u201cexceptional leadership and commitment within the community,\u201d Demajo said. \u201cThis award serves as a tribute to individuals or companies who embody the core values and mission of JFS, particularly in their dedication to uplifting lives and contributing to a world repaired.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy recognizing individuals or companies JFS not only celebrates their achievements but also encourages others to follow their lead in making the world a brighter place. The Lighting the Way Award serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the collective responsibility we share in creating a more compassionate and inclusive society.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Members of the Innovators 2024 committee, left to right: Jessica Hanick, Candice Thal, Tamar Bakonyi and Cydney Shapiro. (photo by Josh Bowie Photography)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vinegar and Schwartzman were given the award in recognition of their contributions to JFS and the community at large.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey truly embody JFS\u2019s values and demonstrate innovation in their commitment to social good, reminding us that finding a way through darkness can lead to a more resilient, compassionate and inclusive society,\u201d said Demajo.<\/p>\n

\u201cLarry and his son Moishe had volunteered with the food bank since Moishe was a kid, demonstrating great passion and commitment to food security. In early 2021, Moishe left this world far too early. Larry and Marcy turned their grief into an amazing opportunity to engage young adults in food and environmental justice through the Moishe\u2019s Farm Retreat,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWanting to do more, they also planted an acre of land with squash in the Okanagan valley with the intention to donate the produce to the JFS Kitchen. Two years ago, Larry came across a piece of land in Richmond, which he, Marcy and their friends transformed into a thriving farm. Their vision attracted numerous supporters who have helped Larry and Marcy grow and donate fresh food to JFS and other organizations. Each week, Larry and Marcy deliver fresh produce to the JFS Kitchen. Since starting the farm, they have donated over 20,500 pounds of food. Their produce enriches lives by not only ensuring food security but also advancing food justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a>
Former JFS clients Tadelu and Sammy.\u00a0 (Photo by Kliri Photography)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Steiner, who presented the award to Vinegar and Schwartzman, has a special connection to JFS and Innovators. His wife, Naomi Gropper Steiner, z\u201dl, and her friends Hildy Barnett, z\u201dl, and Kristina Berman started Innovators in 2006. Steiner has been involved since the beginning, and continues to do what he can to continue her legacy.<\/p>\n

And there is always more to be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cDue to an increase in poverty, hunger, homelessness and mental health issues, JFS faces an unprecedented number of requests for help and support in the community each and every day,\u201d said Demajo. \u201cFor every person who receives care and services, there are five more waiting for support. Our mission is to ensure that every single person who crosses our path receives the care they deserve, precisely when they need it most.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Larry Vinegar, left, and Marcy Schwartzman with Daniel Steiner, who presented them with the Lighting the Way Award at JFS Innovators 2024 on May 28. (photo by Kliri Photography) JFS Innovators 2024: 18 Years of Lighting the Way raised more than $420,000. \u201cWith donations raised by Innovators 2024, we can provide holistic, wrap-around care \u2013 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[22360,3128,20512,7702,7703,2763,6679,8474,23391],"class_list":["post-44714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local","tag-candice-thal","tag-fundraising","tag-innovators","tag-jewish-family-services","tag-jfs","tag-philanthropy","tag-social-services","tag-tanja-demajo","tag-todd-thal"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44714\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewishindependent.ca\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}