Longtime community volunteer Sandi Fried will be honored next month with the Alfred Benjamin Friend of the Family Award from Jewish Family Services (JFS).
Fried will receive the award during the upcoming JFS 120th celebration event on Thursday evening, Aug. 24, in the newly renovated Marriott Overland Park, 10800 Metcalf Ave. The celebration will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the entire community is invited to attend. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, a live auction and donated musical entertainment by the Jewbie Brothers. More details and tickets to attend the celebration are available at jfskc.org/120.
This JFS award traces its roots to Alfred Benjamin, co-founder of JFS and second president of its board of directors (from 1904 to 1923). Benjamin’s award is dedicated to those whose accomplishments “exemplify his compassion, genuine heartfelt interest in humanity, and commitment to improving the quality of life for others,” according to JFS.
For nearly two decades, Fried has devoted her time, financial resources and influence to JFS without expecting anything in return.
Fried is a past JFS board chair and was instrumental in leading a successful capital campaign for the Brookside location. Such an endeavor was new to JFS, but Fried nearly single-handedly raised $1.7 million in six months by leading a team of just three members. Additionally, Fried has been a strong advocate for introducing new services to JFS serving older adults.
“Sandi has been one of the most amazing volunteers and supporters of JFS since I have been involved," said Don Goldman, JFS’ CEO and executive director. “In fact, Sandi started on the JFS Board the same month I did, and so we learned about and grew with JFS together. Over more than a decade, Sandi’s participation blossomed as her children grew up and she had time to focus on an executive board position.”
Goldman cited Fried’s enthusiasm for JFS.
“Under her leadership, the Board began a young adult initiative to bring millennials as board members and volunteers, ensuring that the next generation were connected to JFS,” Goldman said. “She also worked to reconnect past board chairs and began a tradition of gathering the JFS past presidents on Presidents’ Day each year. And of course, the agency began a search for additional space during her term.”
Giving back to the community was instilled in Fried since childhood. A lifelong Kansas Citian, Fried grew up in a home where leadership and charity were modeled by her parents, Lewis and Shirley White. After college, Fried and her husband, Ed Fried, lived in Omaha, Nebraska, before returning to Kansas City in 1995. While raising four children, Fried started her volunteer “career” at the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, raising funds to help people in the community. Soon, JFS became her passion.
“I was so surprised and thrilled to learn I was getting JFS’ 2023 Alfred Benjamin Award,” Fried said. “JFS is what my heart cares about the most, where I feel like every dollar is helping a person who needs a hand up. Each dollar raised can bring someone else stability in their world. Receiving this award feels great because I know being part of this invaluable work has transformed lives in ways that we have no knowledge of, and that's okay.”
Fried has enjoyed working with Goldman and other JFS leaders.
“We worked hard with others to get JFS through some difficult times. It’s been extremely rewarding to see JFS transform to the pinnacle, vital organization it is today,” Fried said. “I’m honored to have served as JFS board president as well as lead JFS’ capital campaign for the Brookside location. I often feel like Brookside is my baby, having watched it change into a wonderful working space to provide life-changing services to our community.”
Other organizations have benefitted from Fried as well. With a love for the cultural arts, Fried worked beside her mother to open The Lewis & Shirley White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center. She is also a member of Starlight Theatre's Capital Campaign committee and has served on the board of the Jewish Community Foundation and Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, as well as participating as a CASA volunteer in Johnson County and on the board of Jackson County CASA.
Goldman said Fried has been a great partner to work with moving JFS forward.
“Sandi was always someone I could call for advice and counsel, to volunteer or to help make something happen,” Goldman said. “Even when Sandi’s board term was over, she continued to be an ally and supporter for JFS. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the Alfred Benjamin Award than Sandi. Like Alfred Benjamin, she is a great humanitarian and philanthropist and, like him, she has helped shape the future of JFS.”
