Volunteers Andi Zimmerman and Diane Zall (from left to right) pictured setting up a school supplies distribution event at Bradley Crossing.
One summer morning, Samantha Gorelik’s daughter did something that surprised her as she got ready for theater camp.
The nine-year-old told her mother that there were kids in her community who couldn’t afford to attend. She wanted to bring money for a bake sale to make her beloved camp more affordable. “I like to set the example for my kids that acts of service are important,” Gorelik said. “We’re lucky to have what we have, and whenever we can, we should help other people have the same opportunities.”
One way Gorelik is modeling those values for her children is as a collection volunteer for the Women’s Philanthropy of Milwaukee Jewish Federation school supplies drive.
This summer is the fourth-annual Women’s Philanthropy school supplies drive, and the second in collaboration with Jewish Family Services. Volunteers help gather supplies for children staying at Bradley Crossing, a housing community for low- to mid-income families. Some volunteers are inspired to become involved by generations past and present.
“This feels really personal for me because I have two young kids who are in school,” Gorelik said. “Every summer we start to shop for back-to-school supplies, and it’s just so easy to take that for granted.”
Gorelik feels lucky to live in an empathetic community like Milwaukee, she said. “Here, we
Volunteers Sara Hermanoff and Randi Shaw (from left to right), pictured handing out school supplies.
think about how to help those in need have the experiences that we all deserve. We want all of our kids to start the year off on a good note,” she said.
Diane Zall, member of the Women’s Philanthropy board, said that volunteering was “not even a choice. It was part of my DNA to volunteer in the Jewish community and to continue my family’s legacy.”
Zall is a fourth-generation Wisconsinite, and the women of generations before her modeled the importance of tzedakah and community involvement, she said. She was especially inspired by her mother, Fran Meyers, and grandmother, Esther Schwade, both of blessed memory, who were very involved in the Milwaukee Jewish community.
Part of why Zall is so involved with the Federation is to pass those generational values on to her kids, she said.
“You know, you raise a Jewish child, but until they’ve grown up, you can’t be sure that you’ve raised a Jewish adult,” said Zall. “But now I know that my children will have adult Jewish lives as well.”
Zall and Debra Katz together co-chair the Women’s Philanthropy social action committee, which volunteers to help great causes.
Collection volunteer Rosie Vayner pictured with collected supplies.
“We work with Jewish Family Services to provide the supplies the children need,” she said. “The kids can come through and pick a backpack, the color folders they want and Women’s Philanthropy volunteers help them get organized. The joy comes from seeing how excited the kids are to be getting ready for school and their education.”
Collection volunteer Cindy Levy pictured transporting collected school supplies.
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