ISSUE 29                                                                                                                                                         JUNE   2017
In This Issue
Volunteer Opportunities
Message from the Director
 



The phenomenal success of the 2017 Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down event is a reflection of the ever-increasing dedication and enthusiasm JFCS volunteers display on a continual basis. 

Thank you to all of the volunteers that contributed time to this year's Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down event.  This event would not have been a success without your involvement. 

We look forward to seeing everyone at our event next year!          

 
 'TAKE A LOOK - BUY A BOOK' 

As a continuation of their incredibly successful, 'TAKE A LOOK - BUY A BOOK'  campaign, JFCS of the Suncoast donated new books to the  Sarasota Memorial Hospital and the Sarasota Police Department.

JFCS volunteer and campaign founder, Sheila
Birnbaum said, "This campaign was designed
to promote literacy among pre-K through 5th
grade students.  We shattered our goal to collect 450  books, as we have collected over 2,200.

Owning and sharing a book is a wonderful
experience for a child, and we believe
literacy is a skill best learned early in life, and
a skill-set that is the backbone of other
learning and life experiences. 

      Pictured: Jenna Maye, CEO Heidi Brown, 
     JFCS volunteer Sheila Birnbaum and Desiree Berry
      Pictured: CEO Heidi Brown, Chief Dipino and 
     JFCS volunteer Sheila Birnbaum


Congratulations to Lorraine Glixon on receiving the Frist Humanitarian Award for her extraordinary volunteer service at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota.  JFCS is proud to have Lorraine as one of our dedicated volunteers!





New Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, July 12th
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm


  
Make sure to have your volunteer time sheet in every month by the end of the month. Time sheets can be emailed, faxed or dropped off at JFCS.
Fax: 941-366-2982

We want to hear from you!

If you have any personal stories, pictures, etc, that you would like to share in the next newsletter email  [email protected]

If there is something you think could be improved or if there is a topic you think should be included in this monthly newsletter, let us know.    
 
JFCS
2688 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, Florida 34237
941-366-2224 ext 143
http://jfcs-cares.org/web/
 
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Volunteers,

When I think of volunteers I think of time and values.  In our lives, one thing we cannot create, acquire, buy or even borrow is time. We have a limited amount of time for sleep, work, family and our own interests.  
 
When individuals commit themselves to volunteer on a consistent basis they have chosen to give up their own time to support an activity to benefit others.  Every job done by our volunteers at JFCS is an important contribution to making this happen.  

It is my pleasure to express our gratitude to all our JFCS volunteers and to give special recognition to individuals who inspire us.

Thank you for all you do!

Cindy Underwood



 
Jack Vendeland + At-Risk Students
 = SUCCESS
by Sandy Chase


Learning math can challenge the best of us. But Jack Vendeland knows the correct equation.
Helping to bolster math skills of at-risk students at Booker Middle School-and arm them with
lifelong skills-this 2010 Children's Services Award recipient is an exemplary role model for both his learners and JFCS volunteers.

According to Allison Cohen, a sixth-grade math teacher, who's worked with Jack for 14 of her 20 years at Booker: "We desperately need more tutors-just like Jack-who's always ready with a sincere smile and a welcoming demeanor."

Add respect and collaboration to the equation, and the sum equals student progress + confidence.  Ms. Cohen says, "Jack has helped improve student achievement, especially for those who speak little English or struggle with learning disabilities. He strives to address the whole child-not just the academics. Children relate to him." 

Jack's introduction to JFCS began in 1997, when he and his wife, Linda, participated in the Resettlement Program, hosting Russian refugee families over several years.

At Booker he also mentored at-risk students through the JFCS Safe Alternative to Out of School Suspension Program for two years: "I wanted to interact with these kids, even help with homework, but they wanted to socialize with friends. I just couldn't break through. Allison approached me in 2003; the rest is history."

Although Jack downplays his critical tutoring role, he stresses the challenges he faced learning "new math," adding that his students have taught him well. "I had to relearn some of the basics and master the proper order of solving problems, for example. Even today, my students sometimes
know more than I do. But we collaborate."

When asked about his award, Jack explains, "Being recognized is flattering. But the real reward is interacting with these great kids who mostly live in challenging circumstances but are generally friendly and willing to learn. Working one-on-one is paramount. And the special joy is that rare time when a student says, 'Now I understand'."

By instilling self-esteem while teaching the basics, Jack has more than balanced the equation. Ms. Cohen and others attest that because of Jack's dedication, many of these students have mastered requisite skills, enabling these preteens to pursue more productive lives as they prepare for the future.

Whether it's "old math" or "new math," Jack has rewritten the equation for success.

Shop at AmazonSmile 
and Amazon 
will make a  donation to:
JFCS of the Suncoast
 

Go to www.smile.amazon.com and enter the same email and password for your existing Amazon account. If you don't have an Amazon account, click on 'create an account' at the bottom of the page.


 Next you will be asked to select a Charity. Choose Jewish Family Children's Service of the Suncoast as your charity

 

That's it - So Simple! You pay nothing, and it will not affect the price you pay.
 
Shopping at Smile.Amazon.com is exactly the same as shopping at Amazon.com with the added bonus that Amazon will make a donation to JFCS based on your purchases.


 

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