This Organization Makes a Difference For Houston and Its Sparkling Stars Night Should Not Be Missed

This article is promoted/partner content and not produced by the editorial staff.

An organization that’s been around since 1913 has amassed an abundance of institutional knowledge, and is an integral part of the social fabric of the community. And when it’s an organization that touches the lives of more than 20,000 Houston-area men, women and children every year in ways large and small, well, that’s a special organization indeed.

We’re talking about Jewish Family Service Houston, and if you don’t know what this social service agency does for the Bayou City region and its citizens, we’ve got some news for you. (And for those of you already in the know, your support is vital.)

Now’s the perfect time to get acquainted with JFS, because JFS LiVE! 2021 is just around the corner. On November 18, A Sparkling Stars Evening is where you’ll want to be. That special Thursday night will be all about honoring the individuals and organizations who make JFS’ important and life-changing mission possible. The Hilton Americas-Houston is the setting, and if you want to be part of it all, click here to register. There are multiple levels of sponsorship opportunities and everyone is welcome.

We spoke with Sandi Helfman Wolf, JFS vice president of development, about the organization and A Sparkling Stars Evening, and her dedication and passion immediately came through. Wolf, who will take over as the agency’s president in January, is being honored at the gala this year, along with her husband Steven, with the Joan Alexander Chesed Award. Other honorees include H-E-B, which will receive the Community Investment Award.

“We provide assistance to children, to teens, to senior citizens. . . basically, anyone in need in our service area,” Wolf says. “We help local Holocaust survivors as well.” This is what it means to be a valuable member of the community.

JFS responded to COVID-19 challenge through a number of initiatives, and sent five therapists to the site of the building collapse in Seaside, Florida earlier this year. Suicide counseling, work programs for adults with disabilities (Celebration Company) and rent assistance are other ways JFS touches and improves local lives.

There’s no doubt that this organization is worthy of the community’s support, and in addition to attending A Sparkling Stars Evening, why not do some bidding on amazing items, a win-win situation if there ever was one? From October 24 through November 7 the JFS  “Life-Changing Auction” is your chance to win trips to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York. Other prizes include a private dinner with Astros ace Lance McCullers, Jr., a feast with restaurant legend Johnny Carrabba in his home, a Goya backyard bash for 100 people including being serenaded by Cooper Wade and much more. Register for the auction here, and get ready to do great things.

“I am very proud of the work we do because it’s inspiring to see lives improved, changed for the better,” Wolf says. “There’s no better feeling.”

What: JFS Houston A Sparkling Stars Evening and JFS LiVE! 2021 Auction

When: Thursday, November 18, 5:30 to 10 pm (the online auction is already underway)

Where: Hilton Americas-Houston (1600 Lamar Street)

To find out more about JFS Houston, call 713-667-9336 and check out its full website.