If $50,000 is donated, Weinberg Village nets $150,000

(L-R) Mimi Aaron, co-chair, with honoree Barbara “Bunnie” Gerson. Weinberg Village Assisted Living Residence announced a challenge grant that could result in a total of $150,000 in donations to the facility, a subsidiary of the Tampa Jewish Community Center & Federation.

As part of Weinberg Village’s annual Chai Tea, board of managers member Jack Roth announced the challenge by the Roberta Golding family for 2010.

“The Roberta Golding family will contribute $100,000 when we raise $50,000 for a total of $150,000. They are offering to match every dollar raised with two dollars,” he said. “The money will be used to pay for facility enhancements for Weinberg Village.”

Encouraging everyone in the community to join the effort, Roth said, “The Golding family is enabling us to enhance the quality of life for our residents.”

This year’s Chai Tea honored Weinberg Village executive director Barbara “Bunnie” Gerson.

The family of honoree Barbara “Bunnie” Gerson. Roth praised Gerson and her staff for converting “a housing facility into a warm, safe, caring home for over 80 current residents and hundreds of previous residents.”

Other speakers included Weinberg Village board members and past presidents, Barry Karpay and Doug Cohn, and Gary Gould, CEO of the Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation.

Karpay expressed gratitude on how the facility has flourished during Gerson’s six-year tenure, while Cohn thanked Gerson for the “tremendous gift” she has given the Tampa Jewish community…a successful Weinberg Village.

Cohen ticked off a list of many of Weinberg Village’s successful qualities: a well staffed facility with a friendly and stable work force; a clean facility with pleasing décor with well-lit hallways; great food and joyful simchas; a census close to capacity; a vibrant resident activity programs; a broad range of services; collaboration with the Tampa JCC and Federation; and strong community support through “Friends of Weinberg Village.”

Jack Roth announces the Golding Family challenge grant for Weinberg Village. Gary Gould applauded Gerson’s efforts in making Weinberg Village what it is today.

Friends, family and residents also paid tribute to Gerson at the event.

The event was co-chaired by Mimi Aaron, Carol Weinstein and Paula Zielonka.

The Chai Tea included an array of hors d’oeuvres, appetizers and desserts prepared by the Weinberg Village Director of Food Services Sylvia Cohen and the dietary department.

The Weinberg Village Warbler’s singing group, led by conductors Jane and Lloyd Bray, and a musical performance by Joy Katzen-Guthrie entertained the crowd. Carole Bernson, resident of Weinberg Village, authored and recited a poem honoring Gerson.

(L-R) Carol Weinstein, Mimi Aaron, Barbara “Bunnie” Gerson, Weinberg Village executive director, and Paula Zielonka. Weinstein, Aaron and Zielonka, co-chaired the Chai Tea. Decorations for the Chai Tea included baskets of food that were subsequently donated to the Tampa Jewish Food Bank. Items for the basket were collected by members of the Chai Tea committee, including Ellie Tepper, Christel Yaffe, and Mura Cousin.

For more information about Weinberg Village s and/or Sylvan and Jean Orloff Memory Support Unit, call Dan Sultan at (813) 769-4729 or go online to www. weinbergvillage.com.