Volunteering with the Jewish Pavilion

It didn't take long for Susie Stone to get involved with the Jewish Pavilion. She and her husband, Mark, first came to Orlando in 1974 for a brief visit for few years. They eventually moved back for good in 1984 and the Jewish community has been all the more fortunate for that move.

Stone started her work with the Jewish community as a pre-K teacher at the Jewish Community Center preschool. It wasn't until her in-laws moved to town in 2011 that her interest in Jewish senior living began since she and Mark wanted to find a facility that afforded their parents a Jewish presence as well as good care. When Gloria Newberger needed assistance for her Purim and Passover parties at the Westchester, where her in-laws were residing, Stone joined in and the rest is history. She added shofar blowing for Rosh Hashanah to her list of volunteer activities and eventually found herself on the Friends Board, which is the main body that oversees fundraising for the Jewish Pavilion. The fundraisers include membership luncheons, fashion shows, and gala events. She is currently the president of the Friends Board and continues to guide others in this important aspect of the organization.

Stone is a tireless volunteer not only for the Jewish Pavilion, but also within her Congregation Ohev Shalom community where she has read Torah, has been president of their Sisterhood, and Torah Fund chairman. She has volunteered for Jewish Family Services, distributing food and has been the correspondence secretary for Hadassah.

When asked why she volunteers for the Pavilion, Stone stated that she enjoys bringing joy and happiness and making each day a little more special for our senior population.