FAIRFIELD – Dorothy Nevas Freedman of Weston has been named recipient of the Arthur and Gladys Lunin Humanitarian Award by The Jewish Home for the Elderly of Fairfield County. The award, which recognizes outstanding public and community service, will be presented to Freedman at the Home’s 2011 Fall Gala, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Rockrimmon Country Club in Stamford. Ginger Speicher of Bridgeport, a long-time Home volunteer, will also be honored at the dinner with the Louis Lotstein Award for Distinguished Service. .  The evening is being co-chaired by Peri Cook and Tara Cook-Littman, both of Fairfield.

Dorothy Nevas Freedman

Dorothy Freedman – known as “Dood”  to her friends — was the first woman to serve as chairperson of The Jewish Home board of directors. During her tenure from 1995 to 1997, she helped expand the services of the physical therapy program and the availability of post-acute care in the Goldstein Rehabilitation Center.  She also served as chairperson of the Personnel Committee and was a member of the Professional Services, Ethics, Community Relations and Executive Committees.
In addition, Freedman is a founding member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence, Communities Against Violence in the Home, which resulted in the creation of a docket for domestic violence in the Bridgeport criminal court.  As the Family Violence Victim Advocate at the Center for Women and Families since 1992, she guides and counsels victims through the court system.  Through the years, Freedman has served on many committees and boards, including the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, the Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, Temple Israel in Westport and the League of Women Voters.

Ginger Speicher

Past recipient’s of the Lunin Humanitarian Award include Freedman’s uncle, Leo Nevas z”l, who received the Lunin Award in 2004.
Lotstein Award recipient Ginger Speicher was also The Home’s 2009 Volunteer of the Year. A dedicated volunteer since 1991. She has been a Friendly Visitor, tour guide and interviewer.
“My mother, father and mother-in-law were residents at the Home,” noted Speicher. “They received incredible care every day and I would give anything as a thank you for those years.  I have continued to help out in any way I can through volunteering and encourage others to join me.”
Annually the Speicher family presents the Charney Family Award, named in honor of her parents, to an outstanding certified nursing assistant. In addition, she is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary board of directors.
“The Gala is our biggest fundraiser and the dollars raised make such a difference each year at the Home,” explained Sandy Young of Fairfield, Women’s Auxiliary President. “Attending and supporting the Gala is a wonderful way to impact the lives of the residents at the Home.”
For more information on the Gala call (203) 365-6409 or email dhayden@jhe.org.