Judging from the number of organizations to which she gives her time, Amy Fenster Brown clearly doesn’t know how to say no. Then again, volunteering is part of her DNA, she says — her mother was all about giving back, too. Today, Fenster Brown, 45, a wife and mother of two sons from Chesterfield, actively volunteers with the National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section, the Young Professionals Division of the St. Louis Jewish Federation, West County Day School, J Associates, Congregation Temple Israel, the Josie Foundation, AMC Cancer Research Center, the Judevine Center, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Toys for Tots, among others. 

The 190 volunteers at the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry help an average of 8,000 people each month and provide almost 18,000 hours of service annually. These volunteers do whatever is asked of them to make sure individuals and families going through difficult times have food for their table.  As Marcia Mermelstein, coordinator of the food pantry, says: “The volunteers give and give and give . . . they truly are the most remarkable group of people I’ve ever worked with, and the warmest, funniest, kindest and most giving people that I have ever known.”

Don Roth finds purpose — and has made many young friends — volunteering as a “citizen deputy juvenile officer” at the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center for the past 20 years. He meets weekly with 8- to-17-year-old males who are in custody because authorities consider them a threat, either to themselves or the community. In 60 to 90 minutes each week, Roth, an 87-year-old Korean War veteran and grandfather of two, does both one-on-ones and interacts with groups of up to 15 boys. A natural-born storyteller and gentle joker, he aims to make each boy feel heard and understood as he tries to set them on a better path for the future. 

In many ways, 53-year-old Tali Stadler is Israel’s unofficial ambassador to St. Louis. Not only does the Creve Coeur mother of three serve as director of the local Israeli Memorial Day observance, Yom HaZikaron, which usually attracts around 400 people, but she also participates in planning for Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli’s Independence Day) and the Jewish Film Festival each year.  The latter, says Stadler, a real estate agent, is a natural outgrowth of her love for both Israel and movies. In addition, she helps individuals who relocate here from Israel, find housing and make new friends.

Chesterfield resident Sherri Goldman has dedicated much of her adult life to enriching the lives of others. For more than 20 years, she has volunteered with the National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section, actively participating in its Back to School! store. The 66-year-old grandmother of four is also co-chair of Lydia’s House, where she register domestic violence survivors for the household items they need to set up a new place to live, then purchases the items through donations. And she has tirelessly worked with cancer patients, first at the Miriam Foundation where she chaired the Cancer Service Committee and then, for the past 13 years, at Missouri Baptist, where she volunteers in the Cancer Support Center and also in the Look Good, Feel Better Program. 

Join the Light in saluting the 2015 Unsung Heroes during a special event at 7 p.m. Monday,  May 18 at the JCC Arts & Education Building in Creve Coeur. The cost is $18 and includes a kosher dessert and coffee reception. RSVP online at stljewishlight.com/unsungrsvp.