Jeremy and Liron Applebaum, owners of real estate company Applebaum KC Homes, have been named “Donors of the Month” by Jewish Family Services (JFS).
In addition to responsibilities with their company, they are raising two children, Elliana (9) and Ari (6). Despite how busy they are, the Applebaums are committed to giving back to the Jewish community, including JFS. The couple provides both financial and hands-on support, and they were sponsors of JFS’ 120th Birthday Bash event with funds supporting the agency’s ongoing programs and services.
“We love how programs such as Kesher and the Food Pantry directly impact so many lives and the number of volunteers that proudly support the mission of JFS every day," Liron Applebaum said. “The JET drivers are just very special people, too.”
She also said her family has a soft spot for the JFS Food Pantry.
“For the past two years, we have organized food pantry drives during our Thanksgiving client appreciation pie event,” she said. “We love giving our clients from across the metro a chance to learn about JFS and together collect an amazing amount of food and/or hygiene product donations. We then bring our team to the pantry to deliver the items and do some deep cleaning/organizing. It's a very fulfilling team building event that we look forward to every year.”
Liron Applebaum’s connection to JFS is a personal one. She was a child when she moved with her family to the United States from Israel in 1990. JFS helped her family resettle in the United States. Today, Liron’s mother works for JFS in Columbus, Ohio.
“In Kansas City, we are impressed by JFS' reach across the city and how many lives they positively impact daily,” she said.
The Applebaums also volunteer with The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, where they are members. They have also helped assemble Happy Kits for Children’s Mercy Hospital as well as Kesher bags.
“Anything hands-on that our kids can put together is always a family win,” Liron Applebaum said. “And we like participating in all of the wonderful Jewish experiences and programs in the community.”
The Applebaums encourage others to consider supporting JFS.
“So many lives are touched by JFS in the KC community in so many ways, through counseling, food insecurity, Help@Home and more,” Liron Applebaum said. “The staff is so dedicated to the mission of the organization, which only inspires every volunteer that walks through the door. Having delivered Rosh Hashanah meals to JFS clients last fall, I know firsthand how much their services are needed and appreciated.”
Those interested in donating to JFS should visit jfskc.org/donate.
