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Home > News > Archive 2007 > December > Vi and John Rubens celebrates its 25th anniversary

Date:  10 December 2007

Vi and John Rubens marks its' 25th anniversary with a chanukah party

Jewish Care’s Vi and John Rubens House celebrated its 25th anniversary by holding a chanukah party at which 19 volunteers were honoured. These include Betty Phillips, who has notched up 25 years of volunteering, arriving at the care home in Clarence Avenue at 7am several times a week to serve breakfast several days a week, as well as running activities such as bingo.

The party on Sunday afternoon (9th December) marked the retirement of volunteer coordinator Wally Jacobs, from South Woodford, who is stepping down after 10 years of service. Not only will Mr Jacobs retain his links with the home – volunteering on an ad-hoc basis – but he has also recruited his successor, Bobby Galman, from Buckhurst Hill, who takes over as volunteer coordinator.

It was a family affair as Mr Jacob’s wife Doreen volunteers in the home’s art room and his son, Robin Jacobs (Jewish Care’s service manager for community centres and day services), lit the candles on the chanukiah to mark the festival.

Certificates were presented by registered manager Mary O’Rourke and John Coleby, Jewish Care’s director of care services. There was praise from Jewish Care’s chief executive, Simon Morris, who had sent a message of support. “Our volunteers often say the pleasure they get from helping others is thanks enough but Jewish Care prides itself in recognising commitment,” said Mr Morris.

Wally Jacobs said: “My thanks to Jewish Care and to Mary and the staff for their support – people [like me] volunteer because we like to help. We don’t seek recognition – but it is very nice to get it.”

Meanwhile Bobby Galman, a volunteer at the home for the past 10 years, was looking forward to his promotion to coordinator, which involves allocating jobs to the other volunteers. “I expect double salary,” he joked while serving doughnuts to the elderly care home residents.

Mr Galman added: “Everyone is like family, like mum and dad. Thank you Wally for changing my life by introducing me to volunteering and I hope to give many more years of service.” He noted his connection to the Jacobs family – Wally Jacobs is life president of Waltham Forest Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Walthamstow; Robin Jacobs is chairman, and Mr Galman is vice chairman.

The volunteers honoured were Lily Barry, Shirley Berg, Anita Brack, Frances Brodie, Ruth Cann, Bobby Galman, Leslie Gilbert, John Gordon, Kitty Gordon, Harry Grant, Michael Green, Sion Labi, Sheila Laderman, Howard Lesser, Phillip Myers, Betty Phillips, Maxine Vincent, Melvyn Vincent and Marguerite Wimborne.

Speaking of the party, registered manager Mary O’Rourke, said: “It has been a lovely afternoon, a fitting tribute to a quarter of a century of care, and it is always nice to thank our volunteers. I have been working here for 23 years – it is a very special place.”