by Serena Franks, Katz JCC Digital Marketing Coordinator
This year, I volunteered as a server for our Adult Meal Program Thanksgiving dinner. As I handed adults their plates of turkey with holiday fixings on the side, I said, “Happy early Thanksgiving”. My sing-song voice was always met with smiles and thank you’s. Giving my time makes me feel good, and seeing all the happy adults, enjoying a meal with their friends, made me feel even better.
When I went back to my desk, I said to my office mate, “I really love this place.” The comment seemed out of the blue, so she responded with a simple question, “Huh?” I didn’t expect to get teary-eyed when I went on to explain to her, “I love it here. I love all that we do. I love that all those older adults we fed today have a place like the J to look forward to. When I reach their age, I want to have a full social schedule with classes, activities and lunch with my friends.”
The adult meal program isn’t the only thing I love about the Katz JCC. I love the JCC Camps at Medford and seeing how excited the campers are on the first day of camp, and how bittersweet it is for them as they say goodbye to summer on the last day. Those emotions tell me we are providing campers with incredible summers which every child should get to experience.
I love that my family has an opportunity to volunteer at the annual ACHaD basketball game. My family gets an opportunity to give back, work with individuals with special needs and learn more about ourselves in the process.
I love walking down the corridor to my office every morning and passing the Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center’s hallway and hearing little voices singing during Shabbat or tiny faces light up as they have reached the top of the Imaginarium, our indoor playground.
Because there are so many reasons to love the Katz JCC, there are so many reasons to give to the J. This #GivingTuesday, I plan to continue to give back and support my home away from home. I hope you will join me this November 27 as part of our 2018 #GivingTuesday campaign.
Your donation to the Katz JCC this #GivingTuesday will help fund special needs programming, provide financial assistance to children who cannot afford camp, benefit our adult lunch program and provide financial assistance to those that need tuition aid to our Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Education Center.
As I think ahead to the holiday season, I hope your holidays are filled with love, happiness, gratitude and giving!
Enjoy these photos from this year’s Adult department Thanksgiving feast:
