- Press Releases
Celebrating almost 160 years of service to individuals, families, and the community, Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, and Sonoma Counties will honor its volunteers and leadership at its 25th annual FAMMY Awards on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco.
Dr. Anita Friedman, JFCS’ Executive Director, will receive the Board of Directors’ first Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award for her 30 years of service to the organization and the community. Jane and Michael Rice, longtime JFCS volunteers, will receive a FAMMY Award, as will attorney Charlie Spiegel, a leader in San Francisco’s LGBT community. The FAMMY Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of volunteers and donors to JFCS programs serving the community.
Dr. Friedman has offered visionary and inspiring leadership as she has helped JFCS—the oldest family service organization in the western United States—extend its scope of services to a five-county region and touch the lives of 60,000 people annually. Under her leadership, JFCS has developed many innovative and highly effective programs that address the needs of Bay Area residents—programs like Parents Place, Seniors At Home, YouthFirst, the Center for Special Needs, and the Child Trauma Training Institute, among others. A licensed clinical social worker, Dr. Friedman speaks widely on community service, mental health, and the provision of human services.
Fammy Award Winners
Jane and Michael Rice have given selflessly of their time, energy, and resources over the years to assist those in need. On the front lines of JFCS’ direct services programs, the Rices have been most active as a couple with Chicken Soupers, a JFCS program in partnership with two San Francisco synagogues—Sherith Israel and Beth Sholom—in which volunteers prepare and deliver meals for people with chronic illness and disabilities.
Charlie Spiegel is being honored for his advocacy of LGBT rights over several decades. Beyond the joy of becoming a gay father when he adopted through JFCS’ Adoption Connection 12 years ago, he recently transitioned from real estate law to adoption law, affiliating with the adoption law practice of Adams & Romer.
The event at the Ritz-Carlton will include a cocktail reception and silent auction, dinner, awards program, and dancing. Excess food from the FAMMY Awards will be delivered to programs that feed the hungry by Food Runners. For tickets, contact 415-449-1256 or [email protected]