Three area Jews are among six local residents to receive United Way Community Services awards for their volunteer activities. PHOTO BY DANIEL LIPPITT Hearts Of Gold Ron Elkus will receive the United Way Community Services' Heart of Gold award at a luncheon this week. JILL DAVIDSON SKLAR STAFF WRITER T hree area Jews are among six people named to receive the United Way Communi- ty Services' Heart of Gold award, the charity organization's highest award for volunteerism. Ron Elkus, Dr. Mark Diem and Wally Klein will receive their awards April 16 at the United Way Community Services' Cele- brate Volunteers luncheon at Cobo Center in Detroit, an event expected to draw 1,600 people. Other winners include Donna Mc- Cauley of Warren, Penny Ruth Dennis of Highland Park and Mary Scott Johnson of Detroit. The award is given annually to individuals who make a difference for the entire community in the volunteer work they do, said for- mer Detroit Piston Dave Bing, honorary chair of National Vol- it or deserve it," he said. unteer Week and chairman and "I like to be behind the CEO of Bing Steel in Detroit. scenes. I like to be out "Here in metropolitan Detroit, there and doing things." we are fortunate that some 1.5 But his friends think million people offer one of their otherwise. most precious resources — time Mr. Elkus was nomi- — to help others every week," Mr. nated for the award by Bing said. "By volunteering in Linda Lee, president of many different capacities at the Michigan Jewish schools, places of worship, civic AIDS Coalition (MJAC) and fraternal organizations, hu- and a former recipient of man-services agencies and grass- the award. roots and community based Ms. Lee, who wrote an groups, these men, women and effusive four-page letter youth improve the quality of life of nomination on behalf in metropolitan Detroit." of Mr. Elkus, said she knew Mr. Mr. Elkus, a Huntington Elkus would not seek an award Woods resident, said he was sur- for his work. prised when told he won the "I knew he would be uncom- award. fortable when he heard about this, "I really don't think I looked for but those are the people who de- serve the award," she said. "He was embarrassed about the let- ter, but I said, Ron, there is noth- ing that is in there that is not true." Mr. Elkus, who works with MJAC, Yad Ezra and JARC as well as secular organizations, said he enjoys performing volunteer work in the Jewish community. "For one, there is a comfort zone in the Jewish community," he said. "But it also gives me a chance to reconnect, to come back into the community." Mr. Elkus said he was inspired by his parents' volunteer work. "They were really good role models," he said. . Dr. Mark Diem, a resident of Bloomfield Hills, was nominat- ed by people who were familiar with his work for the past five years in feeding thousands of in- dividuals on Christmas Day through the Salvation Army and Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Hundreds of the congregation's families now set aside the day as a way to bring meals to the less fortunate. Dr. Diem said he is happy to see parents teaching their children valuable Jewish HEARTS OF GOLD page 20 Enlarged to show derail. CONCORD® Watchmakers Since 1908 SWISS on already low sale prices storewide! More style. More ideas. More value! Save on our already low sale prices plus save again with an EXTRA 10% OFF! Furniture you just can't find anywhere else at prices far less than you expected to pay! Hurry! Offer ends soon! CONCORD IMPERIALTm TIME'S GOLDEN RULE DETROI T JEWI SH NEWS Elegant timepieces from the Concord Royal Gold Collection, hand-crafted of solid 14 karat gold. Square case wtih rounded corners, set off by a polished brick link bracelet and blue cabochon crown. Classic white Roman dial. Swiss quartz. Mineral crystal. For her, brilliantly accented with a diamond bezel. 18 FOURTH GENERATION JEWELERS FUR N I T U R E AT BIG BEAVER & 1-75 JUST EAST OF THE SOMERSET COLLECTION Woodward Ave. @ Square Lk. Rd. (810) 334-4745 . Mon. & Thurs., 10-8:30 • Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat. 10-5:30 • Sun., Noon-5 755 West Big Beaver • Troy, Michigan 48084 • 810-362-4500 Main Floor, Top of Troy Building *Minimum purchase of '499. Some restrictions apply. Details in store. Financing available . . . 12 months same as cash on all purchases with approved credit.