On Thursday evening, January 19, 2012, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles honored three distinguished individuals for their contributions at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills at their annual “Big Event.â€
Celebrating over 90 Years of Excellence in Mentoring, JBBBSLA specializes in mentoring children through a variety of innovative and highly regarded programs and services, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. In an uplifting keynote speech, the agency’s new President and CEO, Randy Schwab, stressed that helping children matters now more then ever. “It is up to us to make a difference. Together as one we can,” he said.
This year’s honorees included Robert C. Aronoff, who has been a member of the JBBBSLA Board of Directors for over 30 years and a former Big Brother. Aronoff, who received the Impact Award, founded the agency’s Scholarship program, which has raised over $1,000,000 to college-bound Little Brothers and Little Sisters to further their education.
Barry Vigon, Director of Camp Max Straus, received the Trailblazer Award. Vigon oversees the activities at the 112-acre facility near Glendale, CA, which serves 1,000 campers every summer. Camp Max Straus programs are open to boys and girls of all denominations and economic backgrounds, most of who live below the poverty level. Programs through Camp Max Straus include a residential summer camp, a weekend Sports Buddies & Arts Buddies program, and Witherbee Wilderness, a High Sierra backpacking trip that teaches self-reliance skills.
Louis Desser received the Big Brother of the Year Award from his Little Brother of seven years, Jonah, at the ceremony. Desser is a member of the executive committee of the Board of Directors of JBBBSLA and is the chairman of the Scholarship Committee.
Following the awards presentation, guests enjoyed a magical dining experience with a variety of culinary delights created by Master Chef José Andrés at the Bazaar restaurant.
The event, chaired by Board members Brian Appel, Leslie Kavanaugh, and Glen Kraemer drew a crowd of over 500 attendees. “This evening is about helping children one-by-one. The future lies with the children of our community,†said event co-chair Leslie Kavanaugh.
For more information on JBBBSLA: www.jbbbsla.org
