"iNIk,' » on the cover • F r rl Federation's Centennial Fund will Elizabeth r provide long-term support. to the Jewish News Applebaum I Special CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Camps, Hillel Day School, Akiva Hebrew Day School and MSU Hillel, among other Jewish institutions in Metro Detroit. Nanci Farber, married to the Farber's son, David, admires Bill's love for his grandchil­ dren and dedication to his gentle wife, to "The advantage of this campaign permanent, ongoing and will be an - help:' Nanci says this is a value he taught to everyone in his family: «This is what you do; it's a If you have it, you responsibility. give if' The Matthews Farber's value is concept that Dr. Robert Matthews, another donor to the Centennial a Fund, understands well. His father, Joseph, was worked during the day an as a immigrant who civil engineer and at night toiled in his aunt's dry cleaning plant, sending his earnings back to his family in Romania. Bob's mother worked most of her life as an executive port her husband and secretary to help sup­ son. It was «just the right thing to do;' Joe always said. Joe and his wife, Gloria, had only one child, Bob, who loved baseball and enjoyed all sports. He became as an an orthodontist as well adjunct professor at the University of Mercy-School of Dentistry. Detroit In 1999, Bob Matthews watched, with a terrible sadness, the fate of an elderly first cousin who became ill and had to a move into nursing home. independence, he also lost his will to live;' Matthews recalls. His died shortly after moving into the c,ousin 29 the cousin, was still in her own house. An aide came to help with light housework, but Gloria remained independent and enjoyed a quality of life for many years. Matthews was so affected by the difference wonderful that, back in 2000, he established a fund to provide assistance to older adults, enabling • 2015 she's As Dr. Robert Matthews taking things a bit slower. a woman, young to-door collecting funds for the 15 local senior «The advantage campaign is that it's permanent, ongoing and will be an asset to the Jewish community forever;' he says of the Centennial Fund. And the reward to Matthews? Simply the help. «My wife, Sandy, and I are truly blessed;' opportunity he said. to Being part of the Centennial Fund is «our way of saying 'thank you' for all the good things in our life:' The Grosfefds helping seniors, the creating opportunities for generations to receive a Jewish day husband coached sports at the Jewish Community Center. Their daughter, Nancy school education. Grosfeld, inherited her parents' passion for volunteering and supporting the Federation. Today, Grosfeld serves as chair of the She worked for many years as a nurse, and compassion she brought to that career extends to the entire Jewish community. For Grosfeld, a past Federation president, the Centennial Fund is all about community. of this cared for and enabled are future the regular assistance for Jewish In addition to Grosfelds also Welfare Federation of Detroit while her Support Centennial Fund provides for per­ sonal care, housekeeping, shopping and families. are self-sufficient as the youngest of 13 children. Babcock went door­ Centennial Fund Campaign. other as not them to stay in their own homes. Today, the Matthews Family Foundation In-Home «We want the community to feel empow­ «Ultimately, the Centennial Fund is about security;' she says, «providing the Detroit Jewish community with a strong and vibrant future for decades to come:' Agencies Impacted Support from the Centennial Fund already is being put into action at a number ofJewish agencies. «Through its support for Tamarack Camps, the Centennial Fund is helping ered, and we want everyone involved;' she ensure says. She is grateful for "gifts at any lever' Because it is an endowment, the money grows, so the $100 that buys a pair of shoes our today can grow to $1,000 enough to feed a family for a month. She's impressed by the diversity of those choosing to give. range of program - «That has been exciting and heartwarm­ ing;' she says. «It's a wonderful surprise to see people step forward who have not previously Sylvia Babcock was still play­ ing bridge; seven years ago, she was always up for a game of golf. But that was back been involved with the Federation when she was 97 and 94, and she's 101 now, cause Four years ago, «Once he lost his 8 January so mother, about 10 years older than be possible. This is surprising, considering that older adults always have been an important part of her life. Her grandmother lived with the family for many years; and her mother, Sylvia, was to - His She and her husband, James, have directed gift toward ensuring their own Centennial that older adults Jewish community forever." nursing home. exactly where they want them to go:' asset to the whom he has been married for 60 years. «He's a quiet man who never really wanted money for himself,' she says. «But once Bill had it, he knew exactly what to do with it make certain it got to those who needed dollars go is that it is or our agencies. «It's slow process;' Grosfeld says, «be­ we are making sure that everyone's that Jewish identity remains strong in community for generations;' said Steve Enger, Tamarack Camps executive director. «The gifts have helped to support a wide areas and facilities, includ­ ing village renovation, upgrading program areas, staff housing and support for our Horizons/Avodah program for children and young adults with special needs:' Perry Ohren, CEO of Jewish Family Service, said, «Federation's Centennial Fund campaign is completely forward-thinking and spot -on. It will ensure a Future on page 10 the future of the