Generation

Winning Walk

Walk of Ages participants raise $40, 000 for seniors.

BILL CARROLL
Special to the Jewish News

eople of all ages from all walks of
life — some with walkers and
wheelchairs, some blind, some walk-
ing their dogs — took part in the
first Walk of Ages community walkathon
Sunday around the Eugene and Marcia
Applebaum Jewish Community Campus in
West Bloomfield. They helped raise more than
$40,000 to support Jewish older adults.
About 150 registered for the 3K (1.8 mile)
walk sponsored by the Jewish Home & Aging
Services Auxiliary in partnership with
ElderLink Network of Services and the Jewish
News.
"It was a fine turnout for a first-time event,"
said Geri Margolis of West Bloomfield, chair-
person for the walk that faced stiff competition
from the West Bloomfield Community Fame
Games next door and the first day of Hebrew
school for the new season in area synagogues.
Proceeds from the event, which also coincid-
ed with the 20th anniversary of the Fleischman
Residence on the campus, will aid elderly resi-
dents of Fleischman and Danto Family Health
Care Center in West Bloomfield and Menorah
House in Southfield.
Bob Litky of Farmington Hills led the walk-
ers in a warm-up session. A contingent from
the West Bloomfield High School Band pro-
vided start-up music. A red 1956 Ford
Thunderbird convertible, owned by Harold
Green of Farmington Hills, served as the "pace
car," and the walkers were on their way.

po

Walking champion Julius Spielberg, 101, of
West Bloomfield was grand marshal, riding in
a custom golf cart. Celebrity walkers Sherry
Margolis of Fox2 News and Cheryl Chodin of
"WXYZ-Channel 7 talked "shop" as they
•
walked.
The Gorosh family — composed of
Spielberg's children, grandchildren, great-
grandchildren, nieces and nephews — took
honors with 18 family members participating
in the walk. Gertrude Weintraub, 91, was
proud that she walked the farthest, using her
walker, of any woman Fleischman resident.
One of her co-residents, Eddie Schwartz, who
is blind, went the distance with his white cane.
"It's a real festive atmosphere," exclaimed
Nancy Baron of West Bloomfield.
"It's the best place to be on a beautiful day
like this," said Irma Shapiro of West
Bloomfield.
Clare Bushman of West Bloomfield and her
sister-in-law, Ellen Bushman of Farmington
Hills, were impressed by the "diversity and
Clockwise from top left:
longevity" of the walkers.
First to finish the 3K walk were Rick Kutinsky of
At a brunch following the walk, a candle-
lighting ceremony celebrated Fleischman's 20th Royal Oak, Lesley Kutinsky of Farmington Hills
with her dog, Guiness, Jaye Cooper of West
anniversary, with Carol Rosenberg, associate
Bloomfield, Sandy Kutinsky of Beverly Hills and a
director of JHAS, serving as emcee. Fannie
Whiteman, 99, was hailed as Fleischman's only fellow walker.
20-year resident. Also recognized were the hon- Gertrude Weintraub, 91, walked farther than any
orary chairpersons and 32 other Walk of Ages
woman resident of Fleischman Residence.
sponsors and volunteers.
Tammy Gorosh of Wiest Bloomfield walked with
The last sign along the walking route,
her daughters, Rachel 8, and Hilary, 15.
signed by chairperson Margolis, summed up
the event: "Thank you for making the differ- Loren Gorosh, 21, of Ann Arbor is the oldest
ence."
grandson of walking champion Julius Spielberg,
91, who was the event's grand marshal.

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