Thirteen year-old Jason Stein of Aventura recently presented his grandfather, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, with a check while at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center last month with money he raised to contribute to the National Parkinsons Foundation.
Jason, an 8th grader at Miami Country Day School, son of Janet and Clifford Stein of Aventura, and the Grandson of Carolyn and Gerald Stein, of North Miami Beach, raised $780 for the National Parkinsons Foundation on behalf of his Grandfather, through a website he created with assistance from the National Parkinsons Foundation. Visit www.parkinson.org/jason to see Jason’s Community Fundraising Page, which is currently up and running, and includes a heartfelt wish from Jason for his grandfather, and instructions on how you can be a donor.
“I wanted to do something that was truly meaningful, that others would benefit from,” Jason remarked.
Additionally, Jason emailed hundreds of people to let them know about the website including schoolmates, teachers, and even friends from his Bar-Mitzvah guest list. Jason also contributed $700 from his very own savings, for a grand total contribution of $1,480.
The Herbert Kay Parkinson Chapter, an affiliate of the National Parkinson’s Foundation, is a non-profit organization with close ties to the University of Miami’s Department of Neurology, and Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders. The chapter began with 15 patients and has since reached over 100, including members from the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, the Aventura Community Recreation Center, Temple Sinai, and MAR-JCC.
Bill Marsa, president of the Herbert Kay Parkinson chapter, runs classes and meetings at the MAR-JCC and welcomes participants to become members with open arms. “Join us for monthly meetings at the JCC or attend one of our weekly classes, which includes Tai Chi, exercise classes, a social hour tea time, breathing and meditation, caregiver sessions, yoga, strength training, and movement classes,” Bill explains. This extensive and growing list of activities is made possible by the partnership Bill has forged with the MAR-JCC. He credits MAR-JCC executive director Gary Bomzer with integrating the chapter’s activities into the JCC’s outreach and community service programs under the direction of Jena Webman.
For more information about the Herbert Kay Parkinson Chapter, or to receive a monthly newsletter, call 305-932-1870 or email hkpcbm@aol.com.
I believe Dennis VanDerGinst has this one figured out.