When Marcia Mermelstein, 60, joined the staff at ElderLink St. Louis in September, she brought along a master's degree in social work and decades of professional service with the Jewish Community Center, United Hebrew Temple, Congregation B'nai Amoona,...

Jacob CollinsUnited Hebrew Congregation Last summer, Jacob Collins volunteered at the Jewish Community Center's Athletes in Action Camp in Chesterfield. Son of Allison and Jim Collins of Ellisville, Jacob especially enjoyed helping the younger kids with...

Simon HandmakerShaare Zedek Synagogue "I have always been a believer in education for everyone," said Simon Handmaker, son of Betul Ozmat and Billy Handmaker of the Skinker/DeBaliviere community. That is why Simon decided to work with KIPP (Knowledge...

A public school in the Dogtown neighborhood had the good fortune of having Bridget Rennard read to their early childhood education class. Daughter of Mindy and Gordon Rennard of Chesterfield, Bridget wanted to share her passion for reading and dedicated...

Studying about malnourished children in Africa stoked Erica Snyder's sense of compassion for others. While her geography class at Crestview Middle School decided to collect money for Project Peanut Butter, Erica took it to the next level.Daughter of Drs....

Five days a week, Charlie Foxman goes to work at his Midwest Martial Arts Academy. Once there, Foxman is no desk jockey. He teaches five 60-minute classes each day, kicking and punching and sweating and grunting with the students through at least two...

Alexander Morose has been playing baseball since he was four years old. So it was no surprise when he chose to volunteer last summer with St. Louis Challenger Baseball, a special league for youth and adults with mental and physical disabilities.Son of...

Lift for Life Academy, St. Louis City's first independent charter school, found its very own Music Man in Ben Schenberg. He collected musical instruments for his mitzvah project and donated them to the school, which is now in its second year of having...

Bike MS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's annual bike ride, is nothing new to Alec Baris. His parents, Lynda and Mitch Baris of Chesterfield, have been participating in this event for over 22 years. This past September was Alec's third year to...

Faye Bienstock knew from an early age that she wanted to work in health care, and physical therapy appealed to her right away. "Physical therapy is global," says Bienstock, 35. "It involves the whole patient, from head to toe. Plus, you not only work...