Village Shalom’s upcoming 25th annual Father’s Day Run/Walk event is a family affair. Just ask Jennie Stolper and her son, Jeff.
Back in 1987, the Associate Board of Shalom Geriatric Center (Village Shalom’s predecessor) initiated a large-scale annual race to raise funds that would benefit dementia-care programs for SGC residents. Associate Board members Jennie Stolper and Dr. Andy Jacobs co-chaired what was then called the “May Day Run.”
With no prior experience in organizing an event of that magnitude, Stolper and Jacobs oversaw the logistics of that first race, set in the heart of downtown Kansas City. They pursued every available avenue to secure sponsorships and donations, and to solicit free radio airtime to advertise the event. Jennie said, “It was just so amazing to see everything actually come together that first year.”
Being a new mom at the time, Jennie brought her baby, Jeff, along to some of the race-planning meetings. It must have made an impression on him.
Twenty-five years later, Jeff Stolper is now president of the Village Shalom Associate Board, and is overseeing the various plans for this year’s silver anniversary race — now called the Father’s Day Run/Walk. The event coincides with Village Shalom’s centennial year.
A couple of years ago, when Jeff decided to become involved in volunteer work, he naturally gravitated to Village Shalom, where his mom had invested so much of her energy years earlier. “I had been looking to get involved with a charitable organization, and wanted to make sure it was going to be something I legitimately cared about,” commented Jeff.
Coincidentally, Jeff’s grandfather, Robert Navran, was temporarily residing at Village Shalom for physical therapy and rehabilitation. Jeff visited him there every day for two months. During those visits, Jeff saw “what a great place Village Shalom is, and I thought it would be nice to help out.”
His mother, of course, suggested that he join the Associate Board, which is aimed at developing volunteer and leadership opportunities for young Jewish adults. Now in his second year as a member, Jeff serves as its president. “I was born and bred to do this,” he quipped.
Added Jennie, “The fact that it’s a full circle now, with Jeff being on the Associate Board, and the fact that he did actually come with me when he was a baby to meetings — it’s pretty special.”
It’s a tradition that Jeff hopes will continue. “After seeing my grandfather come here,” he said, “I know that Village Shalom still needs to be here when I’m ready. For now and future generations, I think it’s extremely important to have a stable, solid place” to care for Jewish senior adults.
The community is invited to join in Village Shalom’s family tradition, the 25th Annual Father’s Day Run/Walk, on Sunday, June 17, at 5500 W. 123rd St., Overland Park, KS. Race-day registration begins at 6 a.m., and the 5- and 10-kilometer event begins at 7:30 a.m. The event will also feature a Kids’ Fun Run and other family attractions.
Funds raised through race sponsorships, donations and registration fees will help to provide essential support for Village Shalom’s programs and services that directly benefit individuals and their families confronting the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
For sponsorship opportunities, to register for the race or to make a donation, visit the race website, www.fathersdayrun.org, or call Monica Pontarelli, Village Shalom development associate, at 913-266-8469.
Ruthie Bergman is a member of the Village Shalom Associate Board.