Young & Dedicated At Heart: 12 Local Seniors To Be Honored For Their Philanthropy & Public Service

The 2022 Hall of Fame Election Committee, led by Broward County Mayor Michael Udine, selected 12 local candidates for induction: Doug Frankow (Fort Lauderdale), Joel and Marcia Hochberg (Hollywood), Patricia Jones (Lauderdale Lakes), Harriet McCoy (Parkland), Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis, Rosalind Perlmutter (Fort Lauderdale), Commissioner Debra Placko, City of Tamarac, Judy Shutowick (Parkland), Evelyn “Lynne” Warrick (Pompano Beach), Shirley Wimberly (Fort Lauderdale) and Fred Yarmuth (Parkland).

These outstanding volunteers will be recognized at a virtual luncheon on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at 11:30 a.m., made possible by generous sponsors including platinum sponsors: American National Bank, Padrino’s Cuban Restaurant, John Knox and John Knox Village Foundation. For details on how to attend and a full lineup of events, please visit: www.adrcbroward.org/broward-senior-hall-of-fame Or E-mail: osmank@adrcbroward.org.

“We warmly invite the public to join us in celebrating these remarkable seniors,” said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, CEO of AAABC. “Their dedication and service are invaluable to our community and those whom they assist. They exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and are treasured role models for others.”

Joel & Marcia Hochberg, Age 86 and Age 81, Hollywood

Joel Hochberg has had an illustrious and remarkable career, but he is both a private and highly modest individual. Although he spent decades in the video game business, he continues to work as few others will or can. When asked why, he says, “My purpose at this point in life is to help others. So, my days are largely spent working to create models of perpetuity that will benefit others. You know, even the deepest well will eventually run dry if you are not doing something to sustain it.”

Although Joel is involved in many philanthropic ventures, his passion is the education of children. He works diligently within academia to see that students of all ages can pursue their scholastic dreams. Hochberg Preparatory School is just one small example of the several academic causes he and his wife, Marcia, support and how they give back to the community on a daily basis. Joel says, “You open a school to educate others.” Hochberg Preparatory School is a Jewish Preparatory school challenging high-achieving students to reach their fullest potential academically, morally and spiritually within a nurturing environment. Serving infants through eighth graders, Hochberg Prep is South Florida’s only Jewish Prep School integrating a formal STEM Academy.

The Culinary Institute at the David Posnack Jewish Day School in Davie is home to the Marcia and Joel Hochberg Lower School and Dining Hall. The Middle School was named the Marcia & Joel Hochberg Lower School in 2017 following a lead gift from the Hochberg family.

Joel and Marcia are also annual donors to Beth Torah Benny Rock Campus and the Ann Storck Center. In 2016, the Hochberg’s made a generous gift to Nova Southeastern University and the Razer’s Edge Program which assists university applicants with receiving scholarships.

His philanthropic and personal time commitments to education (schools, foundations, scholarships, etc.) are beyond rival and unparalleled. Joel and Marcia Hochberg are colorful, energetic, wise, experienced, philanthropic, and caring. When you sit back and reflect on their long list of successful and prosperous achievements, one thing stands out more than anything else. It is clear that Joel and Marcia’s lives are mindful and purposeful around “giving back” to others and helping others that are not as fortunate. It is not only their passion, but their mission in life.

Mayor Frank Ortis, Age 77, Pembroke Pines

Frank C. Ortis has dedicated his life to public service, serving the people of Pembroke Pines as Mayor and a City Commissioner since 1996. An advocate for all ages, he has especially dedicated time and efforts toward older residents. Since being appointed in 2015, he continues to be Chair of the U.S Conference of Mayors Aging Task Force, shining a spotlight on developing aging specific services and programming to transportation and housing to assist this population.

Through creating and leading various resolutions and programs, Ortis has been instrumental in supporting the aging population, working with HOAs in Century Village and Hollybrook, the Southwest Focal Point Senior Center, veterans and leading the charge in improving the quality of life for all residents. To proactively help the community, he sits on numerous boards and committees including being the Deputy Vice Chair for the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and an active member of the Broward League of Cities and Florida League of Cities.

Giving back to Broward County, his home since 1977, his list of appointments is lengthy, including having served as Chair of the Legislative Growth Management Broward County School Oversight Committee, and being elected to the auspicious body of Leadership Florida.

These are just a few stories of the 12 seniors being honored. To learn more about dedicated individuals and to attend the virtual luncheon, please visit: www.adrcbroward.org/broward-senior-hall-of-fame

About The Areawide Council on Aging

The Areawide Council on Aging, Inc. of Broward County d/b/a The Area Agency on Aging of Broward County (AAABC) is a nonprofit organization serving Broward County's senior residents, age 60 or older. The AAA is part of a State Network which contains a total of 11 Area Agencies on Aging in the State of Florida which each have their own planning and service areas (PSAs). The AAABC of Broward is designated as PSA 10 and is the only PSA comprising one county, Broward County.

The AAABC also administers the Aging and Disability Resource Center which serves adults over 60 as well as individuals 18 years of age or older who have been diagnosed with dementia or live with a disability. The ADRC is part of a single, coordinated system for information and access to services for all Floridians seeking long-term care resources. The ADRC provides information and assistance about state and federal benefits, as well as available local programs and services. To see what services are available, visit: https://www.adrcbroward.org Or call the Broward County’s ADRC Helpline at: (954) 745-9779.

Proceeds from the event will support AAABC's programs and services.