JFS Orlando raises $156k as it celebrates 35th anniversary

ORLANDO—Jewish Family Services Orlando, a Winter Park based non-profit human service agency that provides social programs to those in need from all faiths, raised more than $156,000 during its 12th annual Evening of Valor, which also marked the organization’s 35th anniversary. One hundred-seventy guests attended the event themed “A past to cherish and a future to fulfill.”

Evening of Valor is JFS’ main fundraiser and this year recognized past agency presidents, former George Wolly Community Leadership Award recipients and Spring Fiesta honorees. Among those recognized was George Wolly, the first JFS executive director and the namesake for the Leadership Award. Wolly and all of the honorees have been instrumental in establishing JFS Orlando’s existing building and programs.

“It was a tremendous honor to publicly recognize the people who have supported our organization and the community through the years,” said Eric Geboff, executive director of JFS Orlando. “Their support and generous donations are the reasons that we have been able to sustain our programs and services to aid Central Florida’s families.”

Donations are still being received and JFS hopes to top the $175,000 mark when everything is tallied. Each year, more than 20,000 individuals are positively impacted by one or more of the three major services JFS provides: emergency services, counseling and community outreach programs.