Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern Arizona will be holding its annual Celebration of Caring on Sunday, April 23 at the Tucson Country Club. Kathryn Unger will be honored at the event.
“We don’t honor someone every year,” says Fred Fruchthendler, chair of the JFCS board of directors. “We chose to honor Kathryn for several reasons. She has previously been a board member and both a Federation and campaign chair. She has been continuously supportive of the JFCS and its mission.”
Kathryn was there when JFCS was going through a significant leadership change, and she was instrumental in the process that helped make the changes that have made it the strong organization it is today.
The agency had been carrying a large deficit. “We went to Kathy, who was the Federation chair at the time, and proposed a matching-fund special campaign to help us retire the deficit – which we did,” says Fred. “She continued to be part of the process that helped move the agency into a more contemporary 21st-century model.”
Journalist and CNN political analyst David Gregory will be the keynote speaker at the event. He was the moderator of “Meet the Press” for six years and chief White House correspondent during the presidency of George W. Bush.
David was selected because of his accomplishments and life experiences. David and his wife (who is not Jewish) embrace a multi-religious family. His book How’s Your Faith? An Unlikely Spiritual Journey reflects what his religion has given him and how it has helped him through the challenges he has faced in his life.
Stella Inger will emcee the event. She is an anchor with the Tucson ABC television affiliate KGUN 9, where David got his start in broadcast news.
“The Celebration of Caring has multiple purposes for the JFCS,” Fred explains. “It’s definitely a fundraiser to help us spread the word and educate the community – both Jewish and non-Jewish – about the scope of the services we provide and the people we serve.”
The oldest Jewish agency in the Tucson community, JFCS provides expert behavioral health, counseling and social services to more than 1,600 of the most vulnerable children and families in the community. “We provide for those who need our assistance because of health, economic and mental health reasons – all the reasons that help make the Jewish community, and the general community, a caring place,” says Fred. “We are the story behind so much of why people give money.”
Fred says the goal of the event is to resonate with current and future donors and “to help people understand the power of contribution, both financial and with energy and service … as part of our mission of tikkun olam.”
JFCS provides many programs not offered anywhere else in the community. The organization has expertise in trauma and provides services to first responders, firefighters, police and 911 dispatchers and their families.
JFCS has a history of recognizing the community’s needs, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and trying its best to meet those needs. “Our commitment is to do it strategically and lead, rather than follow … and to operate with a culture of excellence,” says Fred, who adds that the JFCS vision is to be the agency of choice for the community and the employer of choice for clinical, professional and clerical support staff. “We are committed to being the best.”
Celebration of Caring
April 23 at the Tucson Country Club, 2950 N. Camino Principal, Tucson
A reception begins at 5:30 pm and dinner is at 6:30 pm.
For tickets, contact 520-795-0300 ext. 2263 or [email protected]
jfcstucson.org/donate/2017-celebration-of-caring
