Jewish Family Service
Donor Spotlight: Andrea and Scott Stillman
Andrea and Scott Stillman’s relationship with Jewish Family Service is multi-faceted. They donate resources, volunteer, and utilize services. Andrea and Scott share why they support JFS.
JFS Helps Our Community
Scott: It’s so far-reaching. Nearly 25,000 people benefited from JFS in the last year. It serves all people—people of all ages, faiths, and incomes who are most in need—right in our backyard.
Andrea: We used the senior support services to help my parents around the home when my dad was sick. I love how easy it is to utilize multiple programs within JFS; that’s why people should give their resources, time, or money.
How They Contribute
Andrea: I volunteer with the Bright Holidays program. It’s a joy. We get lists of things that clients need and work with donors to provide those gifts. I make sure they’re getting the right items and deliver those gifts to staff for their clients.
Scott: Our company, MassMutual Colorado, brings presents for the kids. I also co-chaired the JFS Executive Luncheon this year. (See photo above of Scott with speakers Bill Walton and Bob Lanier) We’re doing something new this summer: volunteering with the Lunchbox Express program to feed low-income kids. We also write checks.
Why They Stay Involved With JFS
Andrea: Every time I do Bright Holidays, I see people ask for laundry detergent, diapers, and snow boots. It’s an eye-opener to see how fortunate we are and how generous our community is.
Scott: I want to volunteer with Lunchbox Express because I haven’t yet been involved with the people JFS serves. I’m interested in making that connection.
Life-Changing Moments
Andrea: I was working on Bright Holidays and there was a boy, 15, who asked for a set of sheets. He got dinosaur sheets, which seemed young for a 15-year-old. Shelly Hines (director of Family Safety Net Services) said, “This boy is used to sleeping on t-shirts sewn together, so if they aren’t so age-appropriate, it isn’t a big deal. It’s just really cool he has some sheets to sleep on!” And that hit me deeply. I couldn’t believe that was his life and that’s what he was asking for.
Scott: Spend 15 minutes in the food pantry and see the people shop and how they feel when they walk out. Just observing that is very significant.
By Laurie Loweecey
Volunteer Writer
Laurie Loweecey is a volunteer writer for JFS. She is a national award-winning creative marketing/communications strategist experienced in developing and executing marketing, branding, and promotional communications for global entertainment and content companies.