Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

It was an easy decision to honor Denise Beumer at the Jewish Pavilion's annual Gems and Jeans Gala on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. One by one you see the smiles begin as the residents of Savannah Court & Cove of Maitland see Beumer enter the room. Beumer has just been visiting residents on another floor and now is ready to play games. The smile on Beumer's face shows her love and appreciation of the residents with whom she shares her time. She is ready to let the games begin.

While vice president of BB&T Bank, Beumer was encouraged to become involved in community service, an activity Beumer had participated in her entire life. Serving as president of the Maitland Chamber of Commerce she met Nancy Ludin.

She appreciated Ludin's passion about taking care of seniors in assisted living and long-term care and especially that even though it was the "Jewish Pavilion" everyone was included in every activity the Jewish Pavilion offered.

Beumer feels she gets more out of the volunteer activities than the residents do. In one activity, residents were asked to tell three things about themselves. Beumer brought her two granddaughters, Cheyanne and Sierra, with her and was amazed with how much they all learned about life in past years. It was a wonderful multigenerational experience for the seniors and Beumer's family.

From a volunteer perspective, the sharing of culture, education and friendship while making seniors feel appreciated, is what has impressed Beumer the most about the Jewish Pavilion. She feels "there is more to a name than just a name." She explained, "People see a name and believe it is just for that group. The Jewish Pavilion is so much more. I have been openly invited to events and have had willing explanations of practices and beliefs. That's why I love the Jewish Pavilion."

The Orlando Senior Help Desk helped Beumer help a neighbor find an assisted-living community when she could no longer live at home. Personally seeing how the OSHD works, she has no problem referring people to the service.

Beumer believes people should not have to give up religious traditions because they age or move in to an assisted-living or long-term care community. As Baby Boomers age, The Jewish Pavilion needs more resources and volunteers to adapt to the changing aging population. Beumer wants to encourage everyone to volunteer-"Do something to help someone else. Create a WIN-WIN situation."

The Gems and Jeans Gala will be held on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m., at the Westin Lake Mary, 2974 International Pkwy, Lake Mary, FL 32746. For more information visit the Jewish Pavilion website at http://www.jewishpavilion.org.