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She's Who They Call If Anyone Needs Help

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By DIANE LOEBEL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 28, 2008

WHO: Marcia Gerber

CLAIM TO FAME: Named a local Hadassah chapter's "Woman of the Year" for her volunteer service and support of the group's ideals.

ACCOLADES: "Marcia is a wonderful lady," chapter president Roberta Karp said. "She's very involved and a super saleswoman, especially when it comes to fundraising events. She helps wherever she can."

AWARD PRESENTATION: A dinner with dancing and a variety show is set for Saturday at Heritage Pines Country Club off Hernando-Pasco County Line Road. Members of Heritage Pines and Hadassah will be part of the show.

SOME BACKGROUND: Gerber is a native New Yorker who moved to this area nine years ago from Chicago.

A life member of Hadassah, she joined in 1984. She has held several offices but enjoys fundraising more.

"People will gladly give if they know it's for a good cause," Gerber said.

She particularly enjoys an annual money giveaway involving the last three numbers of the Dow Jones Industrial Average on a given date. The winner receives a portion of the pot and the remainder goes to Hadassah-supported charities.

Gerber is a retired government employee, while her husband, Eugene, is retired from AT&T.

She also is very involved in the community where she lives, Heritage Pines in northwest Pasco. Karp calls her the "First Lady of Heritage Pines."

"If anyone needs help they know they can call Marcia."

She started a Heritage Pines theater group and handles arrangements - from tickets to buses and, if necessary, overnight accommodations - for productions in Tampa, Pasco, at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater and other venues.

As an alternative to golf, she has taught mah-jongg, and now has others teaching it. She has also formed a Bocce, Bunco, Mah Jongg Club.

Gerber also organized a monthly chaverah (circle of friends) service and dinners for Jewish holidays.

Plus, she looks after the homes of winter residents in their absence and provides rides when asked.

Gerber has taken Spanish lessons and with her husband takes classes in "anything that sounds interesting." She loves to read, especially mystery novels.

ABOUT HADASSAH: Founded in 1912, the women's volunteer organization works to improve the quality of life for Israelis and to strengthen Jewish life in the United States, according to www.hadassah.org.

"Focused on health, education, youth and the environment, Hadassah changes lives, one person at a time," the Web site says. "...Hadassah can be found in all 50 of the United States and Puerto Rico. Hadassah-Israel is a lively presence in Israel, and you can find volunteers from the Hadassah International Medical Relief Association on five continents."

HER PARTING QUOTE: "Once retired, you shouldn't just sit in a rocking chair; you need to keep your mind active. I'm proud to be a member of a volunteer organization that gives all its monies to charities. The support I have is unbelievable."

Want to suggest an Everyday Hero? Contact Diane Loebel at (727) 815-1081 or e-mail dloebel@tampatrib.com.

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