Rosen JCC names lobby in honor of Victoria Siegel

On March 15, Joel Berger, CEO of the Rosen JCC, unveiled its newly named lobby in honor of David and Jacqueline Siegel's daughter, Victoria, who died of a drug overdose at the age of 18 on June 6, 2015.

The Early Childhood Learning Center's two-year-olds opened the program miming a song that said "Give a little hug and make the world a better place." Later, thanking the JCC for this honor, Jacqueline Siegel shared that Victoria had been two years old when she first brought her to the JCC.

Harris Rosen was on hand to witness the unveiling and humbly, in a soft voice, said that this is "David and Jacqueline Siegel's moment," and thanked the Siegels.

Berger stated that one year ago, David Siegel, through the Westgate Resorts Foundation, pledged $50,000 to the campus. Since that time, the southwest Orlando JCC has grown tremendously in membership, Early Childhood registration, and the after school program; and has held 303 events, which brought more than 20,000 people through those lobby doors, in the last year.

"Victoria would have been so proud to have her name here," said David Siegel. He then shared that when people enter the JCC's lobby and see her name, "don't think of the money given to have this naming, think of a life wasted and gone way too soon."

Seeing the promise of the little children who sang earlier, he said "these two-year-olds will have such a wonderful life-if they don't use drugs."

Siegel then shared about his advocacy against drugs through the Victoria's Voice Foundation (www.victoriasiegelfoundation.org).

"There are 170 deaths from drug overdose every day," he stated. "Think about it, if North Korea bombed a naval ship, killing 170 sailors, we'd be at war. And yet, that's how many lives are lost daily because of drug overdoses. When is enough enough?"

He then stated parents should have their children drug tested beginning at age 14, and that schools should do random drug tests.

"It takes tough love to win," he said, encouraging parents to have tough love.

The Rosen JCC's dedication to strengthening family life aligns directly with the Westgate Resorts Foundation's mission of building strong families and a strong workforce. The Foundation grants more than $1 million annually toward this mission. Additionally, David and Jacqueline Siegel's personal mission is to guarantee the future generation is not lost to drug addiction. The Rosen JCC provides a positive environment for families and neighbors to connect and create healthy relationships that don't include drugs.