Toronto's Top Volunteers - Final Six

We are proud to introduce the launch of "The Projects", a volunteer initiative that strives to provide volunteer opportunities to people, just like you. Through our work with the local Jewish social service agencies in Toronto, "The Project" is honoured to announce our inaugural "Toronto's Top Volunteers Under 40" list. Every day until April 8th we'll introduce a few more volunteers who are making a real difference in our community. The top volunteer will be chosen on April 10th, 2011 at "The Projects" launch party - Timeraiser and award night. For more details click here.

David Warshafsky & Eric Kaplovich

Agency: Serve 4 Success

JIAS Toronto Each summer, Warshafsky and Kaplovich run a free summer tennis program for 35 newcomer youth. David and Eric take care of everything, including recruiting other volunteers, obtaining corporate sponsorships to cover the equipment and costs of the program and they both provide several hours of free weekly tennis instruction during the summer months. When the kids show up for their first lesson, they are given a tennis racquet to use. What they don’t realize until the last week of program is that David and Eric have obtained these racquets as donations, for them to keep. For newly arrived immigrants who face numerous expenses relating to their immediate settlement needs, the additional funds for extracurricular programs for their children are not available.

Anna Yalkut

Agency: Reena

Anna Yalkut joined our volunteer team at Reena in August 2010 and has been going strong ever since. Anna is a “Pal-Unteer” who works one-on-one with Kathy, a young woman with a developmental disability who lives in a Reena group home. Every Monday evening, after a long and demanding day at work, Anna faithfully visits the group home, bringing warmth, happiness and a big smile along with her. Anna and Kathy spend quality time together, sometimes going for long walks, other times just schmoozing at home. Anna is a bright, dynamic, warm and caring individual who has become a special friend not only to Kathy, but also to everyone at Reena.

Jordan Lubek

Agency: The Annex Shul

Jordan has brought something special to the Annex Shul. Jordan has coordinated more than 10 social justice/Tikkun Olam initiatives for young Jewish professionals. Rather than planning his own programs or starting his own organization, he has been reaching out to various organizations that are in need of volunteers, and worked with them to find suitable volunteer opportunities for the Annex Shul community. It would be reasonable to say that thanks to Jordan, more than 100 people have volunteered within the Annex and Jewish communities over the past year.

Yoelit Lipinsky

Agency: Mount Sinai Hospital

Yoelit Lipinsky has been a volunteer at Mount Sinai Hospital since May 2009, contributing more than 400 hours of service. Yoelit’s motto as a summer student was “Healing with Heart,” ensuring that the 300 summer students understood the connection between healing and the human connection they could provide. She developed the first volunteer newsletter “VolunCheer!’ She also organized an amazing volunteer barbecue and assisted the psychiatry department in organizing a Simulation Day conference, coordinating all of the volunteer activity and assisting with logistics. She currently assists the children’s grief program. Yoelit surely stands out as a leader Mount Sinai is pleased to recognize her for her many accomplishments.

Meagan Solomon

Agency: Big Sister, Jewish Family & Child Services

Meagan Solomon has been volunteering for Jewish Family & Child Services as a volunteer big sister to a young girl since September 2008. Meagan graduated from Montreal’s McGill University in 2008 and was also a volunteer big sister in Montreal. Meagan is an extremely mature and responsible she is very committed to her volunteer role within the agency. Meagan spends her visits and outings with her “little sister” being there as a friend, a role model and a mentor to her. These years for a child are very important years, in terms of their mental and social development.

All volunteer profile information were provided by their agencies.

Check back for the winner of the "Toronto's Top Volunteers Under 40" awarded at "The Projects" launch party - Timeraiser and award night on April 10th, 2011.