The wait is over, but it’s also just begun.

Today we have the privilege of announcing our Unsung Heroes, and come Thursday, May 24, we’ll honor them in our Third Annual Unsung Heroes event and edition of OY! Magazine.

This year we recognize eight exceptional individuals and one organization for their substantial devotion and tireless efforts in making our community a better place to live:

• Marshall Cohen, founder and operator of Lift for Life Gym and Academy

• Marion Lipsitz, volunteer extraordinaire who is still going strong at 92

• Pat Simons, who helped start the non-profit Ready Readers program to address preschool literacy

• COAST, a collaborative effort between two Washington University Jewish groups that connects student volunteers with special needs children

• Samantha Lurie, an inner-city teacher who has given back to the youngsters she serves and others in countless volunteer hours

• Joy Sterneck, whose multitude of volunteer efforts run the gamut from tutoring to transporting older residents to Shabbat services to outfitting poor children to establishing interfaith partnerships and more

• Nancy Schmidt, an attorney who has spent numerous hours providing free legal services to the elderly

• Larry Opinsky, who has been a devoted proponent and advocate for those with developmental disabilities in St. Louis and the entire State of Missouri 

• Steve Rosenblum, who has lent his substantial fundraising and nonprofit skills to a slew of volunteer activities.

“Once again, we are thrilled to honor this incredible group as we find ourselves in awe of their accomplishments,” says Unsung Heroes event co-chair Sheri Sherman, who is organizing the May 24 reception along with co-chairs Marilyn Ratkin and Jane Roodman Weiss.

Registration for the event will be available in the Light and at our website, www.stljewishlight.com. Respondents will also be able to place tributes both in the event program and the OY! Magazine Heroes edition.

“As was the case in year’s past, we are again pleased to have such a wide diversity of honorees,” says Light Publisher/CEO Larry Levin. “From college students to a volunteer over the age of 90, these men and women have made an indelible impression on all of the lives they touch asking for scant reward or notice during all their years of community service. Honoring such a deserving group is truly our pleasure.”

Brief capsules about each honoree will appear in the Light, and complete stories about each of the honorees will be highlighted in the Spring Unsung Heroes edition of OY! Magazine. It will be distributed in a sneak preview to those who attend the event the evening of May 24.

The event has twice filled the Performing Arts & Banquet Center of the Jewish Community Center to capacity. The evening will feature special musical entertainment and a program recognizing the great works of each of the honorees, followed by a dessert reception. The cost of the evening is $18.

“We are delighted to be able to recognize such extraordinary individuals within our community,” says Light President Jenny Wolkowitz. “We are dedicated to celebrating the contributions of such a selfless group and thrilled to be highlighting their many contributions to both the Jewish community and the St. Louis community at large. This is truly an amazing bunch of people.”