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rchards Children's Services celebrated
its 40th anniversary at the second
annual Champions for Children Gala.
More than 250 patrons attended the
black-tie event held at the Atheneum Suites
Hotel in Detroit. Orchards' non-sectarian pro-
grams include foster care, adoption, family preser-
vation and community outreach.
Phyllis Akers, Beryl Winkelman and the
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)
received the Gerald L. Levin Champion for
Children award. Levin was the former CEO of
Orchards who died in 1999. The history of
Orchards and NCJW are entwined. The NCJW
founded Orchards in 1962 as a Jewish-oriented
treatment home for emotionally troubled boys.
Akers and Winkelman served as the agency's first
chairmen. "I fondly remember my mom 40 years
ago working out of a little house in Livonia hold-
ing zoning meetings and raising $20,000," said
Jim Akers, who accepted the award for his moth-
er, Phyllis Akers.
"Orchards provides unparalleled services and
exemplifies values and traditions set by Beryl and
Phyllis," said Randie Levin, co-chair of the event.
According to Deborah Dinco, president and
CEO of Orchards, "We are forever indebt-
ed to NCJW and Gerald Levin's altruistic
spirit of vision and serving families."

— Carla Schwartz

1 0 • MA RCII 2002 • SIVIE

• I • I-Ili JN

Larry Winke an And
Beryl Winkelman•

Gala ch
Levin and Nanc

.

Joan Akers Binkow
and Jim Akers

Lisa and Dr. Jay Fisher

Ariela and
Asa Shani,
Doreen Hermelin

Deborah Dinco
and Loretta Polish

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