Page 19 - Boca ViewPointe - July '21

July 2021 Viewpointe, Page 19
Help Is On The Way: Local Support Enables JFS

To Check On Seniors During Storm Season

Four years ago, Hurricane Irma left many local seniors Beach, Boca Raton and Highland Beach prepare for the people or take them to hospitals, but we do communicate
stranded. 2021 hurricane season, which began June 1. Gifts from with those who can.”
They were living alone for days, without hot meals, warm Jewish Federation supporters enable JFS to respond, when Seniors living in Boca Raton, Delray Beach or Highland
showers, powered elevators or family members close by. In vulnerable seniors are in need. Beach can register (or their families can register for them)
response, the leadership at Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish “JFS takes our responsibility to help seniors, particularly for the program online at www.ralesjfs.org/stormreg or by
Family Services (JFS) decided to create a registry that would those living alone in our community with no family nearby, calling at 561.852.5044. Those wishing to volunteer on
identify vulnerable seniors, who needed someone to check in very seriously,” said Danielle Hartman, JFS President & CEO. the JFS Storm Recovery Team can do so by visiting www.
with them before and after severe weather events. “Although JFS is not a first responder agency, JFS coordinates ralesjfs.org/stormvol.
The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County with first responder agencies and plays a vital role before and “Last year, more than 200 residents, or their family
proudly supports JFS, as it helps residents in Delray after major weather events.” members, registered for this service and found it invaluable,”
Do you need help or know Hartman said. “When we responded after Hurricane Irma, the
someone who does? Would biggest request was for ice and hot meals.”
you like to help? Sign up! JFS’ Storm Registry is so popular that it has been
JFS’ Storm Team is currently replicated in Texas.
seeking more volunteers to Deepest thanks to Boca Pointe Federation
make calls and visit residents Campaign Chairs: Jane and Dan Fishkoff, and to
who are 65 or older. It also Committee Members: Rhoda Berkow, Allen Brayer, Si
welcomes any seniors who Farber, Daniel Fischer, Richard Glazer & Elaine Kaplan,
need this service to call and Bea Gold, Harold Katz, Joel Meisner, Arlene Penner,
register for it. The service is Murray Pitkowsky, Mel Schoen, Doris & Stuart Zeuner,
free and available to those who for their continued dedication and leadership.
are isolated and who live within If you or a neighbor are in need of help, please contact
the Federation’s catchment area. Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services at 561-852-
Registrants’ information will 3333. In addition, our main Federation telephone number,
remain confidential and used 561-852-3100, is monitored regularly for voicemail messages.
only for this purpose. Learn more about our Federation and how you can help at
“Our volunteers are amazing www.jewishboca.org - or contact Shirley Gross at shirleyg@
and make sure that seniors bocafed.org or 561.852.3182 (leave a voicemail). 
know they are not alone. Before
the registry was created, other
agencies were also trying to Stamp and Coin Club
help, and we were tripping
over each other, visiting the Boca Raton Stamp & Coin Club asks you to start
same people multiple times,” a new hobby.
Visit with us at the Stratford Courts Auditorium

Hartman said. “The registry located at 6343 Via Sonrisa del Sur, off S.W. 18th
helps us to contact exactly Street, between Powerline Road and Military Trail.
who needs us, and our Storm We meet the second and fourth Thursday each
Team will relay any medical month at 7 p.m. Please call membership coordinator
emergencies to first responders. Harvey Golinger at (561) 752-4922. n
Our Storm Team does not move