Lori Swartz, Helen McGarry, and Jeff Yolleck accepting the Platinum Heart Award on June 27/12

Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto was recently awarded the prestigious Eva’s Initiatives Platinum Heart Award, in recognition of its volunteers' dedication to Tikkun Olam through Eva’s Initiatives.

Eva’s Initiatives helps homeless and at-risk youth reach their potential by providing safe shelter and a range of services. The Platinum Heart Award, Eva’s Initiatives' highest honour, is awarded to a donor organization in recognition of the following criteria:
• Donated $25,000 or more in the past year
• Participated in Eva’s events
• Donated goods or resources valued at more than $50,000
• Promoted awareness of youth homelessness and Eva’s Initiatives

The award pays tribute to the collective efforts of numerous tzedakah-minded congregants including the Temple's youth group who held a Personal Care Items Drive; members who supported the Temple's ongoing food collection program; members of the Temple's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program who donated their shares of ultra-fresh, local, organic produce (enough to support two Eva's sites); a Temple Sinai purchase of CSA shares that are solely for Eva's Place; and Temple members who held a chocolate seder at a youth shelter.

Yishar koach to the members of Temple Sinai's Social Action Committee, chaired by Marilyn Cukier and Jeff Yolleck, and all of the Temple's volunteers.