Volunteer Mitzvah Award

To volunteer is a mitzvah, but to do something that helps transform lives requires special recognition. This is the reason behind the Helen Nutis Volunteer Mitzvah Award, given to an outstanding community volunteer at each JCC Annual Meeting.

Ben Zacks was the winner of the 2008 Helen Nutis Volunteer Mitzvah Award, given for his work on the JCC's Audit Committee, which he created and chaired. For two years under his leadership, the committee worked to bring JCC policies into compliance with Sarbannes/Oxley established standards for Not-For-Profit Organizations.

Ben also willingly offered his expertise numerous times to the JCC on many matters concerning construction contracts, legal documents, operational situations, and much more.

He is a graduate of the first Florence Melton Adult Mini-School class in Columbus, and is a founding member of the Communiteen High School board of advisors. He has served on the JCC's Budget Committee and is the Board's new Treasurer.

The award was presented by Pam Gurwin, who serves on the JCC's Board of Trustees and also served as the Annual Meeting's emcee.