The Jewish Family Services will hold its “Heart and Soul” spring gala on Saturday, March 17, 6:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive.
Three honorees will receive recognition at the event for their work establishing services for unmet needs in San Diego, according to Susan Lapidus, director of development for Jewish Family Services.
“This is the largest gala in the Jewish community and it celebrates the accomplishments of individuals who have impacted our community,” Lapidus said.
Honorees include Ronnie Diamond, founder of the University City Senior Center, as well as the Viterbi Family Foundation, an organization that provides home care and emergency grants to low income Holocaust survivors, and the Stone Family Foundation, creator of the “Mentoring Mothers” program that pairs experienced women with vulnerable teen mothers.
Diamond, a University City resident who developed the center at 3813 Governor Drive about seven years ago, said the most important part of receiving recognition for the project is that it increases the community’s awareness of the importance of caring for elders.
“To me, it’s just a validation of the need for the program,” Diamond said of receiving the Jewish Family Services award. “We like to keep seniors thinking and active, so a lot of what we do is to try and motivate them to keep them busy. And it’s wonderful to get them out of homes, because a lot of them live by themselves.”
The center provides activities such as kosher lunches, dancing, holiday celebrations and guest lecturers for about 40 elderly residents every Tuesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A bus is provided to transport people to and from the center, Diamond said.
“They’re our parents and it’s nice that we can look after them and give them interesting activities and entertainment,” Diamond said. “You don’t do this for the rewards and the recognition, but it’s nice to be recognized.”
For more information on the UC Senior Center, call (858) 550-5998. For information on the “Heart and Soul” gala, visit www.jfssd.org.