Page 12 - Jewish News | November 2021

12A November 2021 FEDERATION NEWS

Volunteer Spotlight

Knitting creativity with charity – and brightening lives

By Sandy Chase
viva Senior Living resident gratitude, saying, “The generosity San- Once seeing the bears and hearing collapsed. I had to find something to
Sandy Klein continues to af- dy Klein has shown is incredible. The about Sandy’s joy from her creative do because my life wasn’t over yet! A
Afect numerous lives, including joy these bears have brought to the PJ endeavors, Jessi requested knitted fellow resident suggested knitting as a
her own. Her latest example of altruism kids is phenomenal.” dreidels, downloading instructions way to strengthen my hands and elimi-
and imagination powers every knitted To thank Sandy, Jessi gave her a (found by Sheila) to Sandy. “Dreidels nate shaking.”
dreidel she has donated to the PJ Li- photo collage of smiling PJ kids hold- are another great opportunity for PJ Although skeptical, Sandy fol-
brary program, supported by The Jew- ing their teddy bears. kids to learn about Chanukah while lowed through, grateful that as a child
ish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. Jessi explains, “I learned about having fun,” says Jessi. she learned how to knit, sew and defy
The “Jewish Energizer Bunny” – Sandy from Sheila Birnbaum, an Aviva A good friend, Maria Leonardo, any challenge, saying, “All I have to
fueled by Tikkun Olam and tzedakah Trustee and chair/co-chair for several Aviva’s Campus Director, Life Enrich- hear is ‘Can you? Will you?’ And I’ll
– Sandy recently donated hand-knit- committees for which Sandy volun- ment & Volunteers, highlights Sandy’s try it.”
ted teddy bears to PJ kids. Her charity teers.” commitment: “Sandy transformed the Regaining her strength, she orga-
didn’t begin here, though. For many Aviva-supplied yarn and nized a Kobernick group that decorat-
years, Sandy decorated baseball caps other materials into a ed caps she brought with her. ‘Kobee
for east coast and Suncoast Florida dreidel that same evening.” Caps’ were replaced by ‘Kobee Kids,’
children deprived of health and strong Sandy’s volunteering knitted teddy bears.
families. can be traced to Albany, Over the years, Sandy has been
A prime example is Camp Mari- New York. Raising two recognized for her unending benefi-
posa at JFCS of the Suncoast. Baseball children, David and Ruth, cence:
caps were provided to children in this Sandy was involved in ‹ 2006: 25 Annual Statewide Quali-
th
program whose family members strug- PTA programs. She also ty Senior Living Award for Service
gle with substance abuse. Other ben- led scouting activities and to Seniors by a Volunteer: Florida
eficiaries included hospitals, Tidewell Councilettes, Ruth’s Jew- Council on Aging for the Diamond
and All Star Children’s Foundation. ish Federation teenage so- Club
Indirectly, Sandy has helped cial club, all while being a ‹ 2018: “Words From the Wise”
empower community partnerships, bookkeeper and cosmeti- Honorable Mention and Appreci-
whether with other seniors, teens or or- Jessi Sheslow and Sandy Klein with a photo collage cian at Klein Pharmacy, co- ation for Inspiring Achievement
ganizations, such as JFCS, Aviva and of PJ Kids with their teddy bears owned with her pharmacist and Outstanding Service Toward
Federation. A longtime Federation and JFCS husband Joe (of blessed memory). Others (Aviva).
Her stuffed teddy bears included volunteer, Sheila approached Jessi be- Not one to be idle, Sandy then ‹ All Star Children’s Foundation re-
in the PJ Library Apples & Honey Gift fore Rosh Hashanah, offering a gift of worked for the New York State Depart- cent letter of gratitude for ‘Kobee
Bags for Rosh Hashanah helped pro- teddy bears knitted by “an incredible ment of Civil Service as an audit clerk Kids’
mote the program’s mission of instill- resident.” until retiring in 1980 to Delray Beach, Describing a fraction of Sandy’s
ing children with Jewish culture. Sheila says, “My goal is to con- where she founded the Diamond Club Aviva life, Maria lists such activities as
Jessi Sheslow, Federation’s Teen & nect Aviva residents with community for Temple Emeth congregants 75 and performing in the Aviva Players, coor-
Family Programs Manager, who over- nonprofits. Sandy creates; I deliver the older. dinating evening mixers, and teaching
sees PJ Library, echoes community goods.” She recalls how a member’s grand- mahjong and canasta in addition to tak-
son shared with the club his redesigned ing art classes.
Mickey Mouse baseball cap, explain- Trying to catch her breath, Maria
ing that a hat manufacturer donated sums up Sandy’s verve: “I can’t keep
rejected company caps. Contacting up with her, especially when we’re
Copy Cats of Boston (manufacturer/ walking. At least I can slow down to
supplier), Sandy initiated the Diamond appreciate Sandy’s paintings adorning
Club’s ‘Cool Caps for Cancer Kids,’ Aviva’s bistro.”
donating to hospitals nationwide. Sandy replies, “It’s important to
Her Delray and Boynton Beach put yourself out there. Cherish each
experience before relocating to Saraso- day. You’re not in a world by yourself.
ta in 2012 “proved that diamonds are Be part of it.”
richer than gold,” she says, proud of Sheila captures Sandy’s essence by
her club members. saying, “Confident, caring and com-
Maria says, “Sandy is unique, a mitted, she brings smiles to children
one-of-a-kind gem, better than a dia- she never meets.”
mond or Hope Diamond. She’s a San- Sandy also knits a bond between
dy Diamond.” And the Sandy Diamond generations, helping to foster an in-
appears to be indestructible, especially tegral part of Federation’s mission
when faced with health challenges. of l’dor v’dor – transmitting rituals,
Shortly after moving to Sarasota, traditions and history to the next gen-
she suffered a stroke a few months after eration.
the death of her husband of 67 years, If you are interested in volunteering,
and came to Aviva. After undergoing there are many ways to contribute and
intensive rehabilitation, she was strong be part of the volunteer life at the Fed-
enough to transfer to Kobernick, Avi- eration. For more information, please
va’s residence for independent living. contact Jeremy Lisitza, Director of In-
Determined, she says, “I couldn’t novation and Volunteer Engagement,
talk and was very angry. My world at 941.343.2113 or jlisitza@jfedsrq.org.
Jewish
wish
Je

Ha pp enings
Happenings

Looking for something Jewish-related to

experience? See the Jewish Happenings section

for more than 50 events in November!