Jill is humbled by Rotary award

This annual Rotary Club of Springs function is held in recognition of outstanding performance and dedication.

This year it was Jill’s turn to receive the Certificate of Excellence and she is overwhelmed by the gesture.

According to all her friends she gives of herself generously and tirelessly in provide cultural exposure for elderly, handicapped, underprivileged Springs residents.

Rube and Hilary Levin say she has made a positive impact and brought much joy to the lives of hundreds of Springs residents.

Jill received a phone call about three weeks before the award ceremony and says she was speechless and started crying.

Her projects include taking residents to attend ballet and theatre performances, pantomimes, theatre and musical shows at the Johannesburg Theatre or the Teatro at Monte Casino.

“On this day outing everyone is treated to a meal at a minimum cost and a bus ride to the different theatres,” says Jill.

This Selcourt resident finished her matric at Springs Girls’ High School in 1966 and studied at the Secretarial School in Fourth Street, CBD.

She remembers it was above the Palladium bioscope.

She finished her one-year diploma there and worked in the manufacturing environment for 40 years.

In January 2009 she retired from her job and joined the Springs Senior Citizens Club, now SpringsCare Community Centre.

“I looked after both my parents and occasionally visited senior citizens in hospitals and gave them support.”

She helped at the friendship bingo mornings held at the club and that is where she announced the next ballet or musicals of interest.

When she saw a ballet at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre many years ago, she decided to make this her mission to assist those in need to also enjoy similar shows.

A family trust sponsors her trips three times a year and this includes the bus, tickets for 30 people and a light meal.

There are always more people going and she ended up with 60 people attending these shows.

But she offers the sponsorship to the diverse community.

It gives her satisfaction to help those who are less fortunate, but it makes her hard work worthwhile when she sees the delight on their faces while watching a show.

Doing eight to nine shows a year takes up a lot of her time.

This includes the planning, many hours of organising and numerous phone calls to plan any single event.

Jill takes into account the age, mobility and any special needs of the people that participate in the special treat she is providing.

According to her all the theatre personnel and even the restaurant manager know her by now.

Jill gives a special thank you to all those friends she calls her extended family, who have supported and sponsored these outings with time, enthusiasm and donations.

Although she is humbled by this award, her friends say she has no limit to her compassion and to the ideas of what might bring some pleasure and joy to those whom she serves.