Jean Tatelbaum is this year’s recipient of the Spirit of the Vineyard Award.
Vineyard Village at Home — which provides services to the Island’s elderly community to support their independent living — sponsors the annual award. Tatelbaum is one of the organization’s longtime volunteers.
The award annually recognizes the impact and contributions of an individual who has volunteered for one or more nonprofit organizations on the Island.
In a press release, Vineyard Village at Home wrote that Tatelbaum volunteers at a multitude of Island organizations six days a week. This work includes providing senior citizens with transportation and delivering their mail and groceries five times a week.
Tatelbaum delivers food every month through Family to Family and weekly to the Edgartown Council on Aging.
During the holiday season, she volunteers at the Island Food Pantry and serves food at the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Christmas Community Needs Dinner. Every year, Tatelbaum sponsors a child for the Red Stocking Christmas gift program, the press release stated.
“Jean is a doer. She has a heart of gold, and if she sees a need, she tries to fill it,” Vineyard Village at Home wrote in the press release. “She expects no thanks or recognition, but her dedication to the community demands it.”
The award will be presented to Tatelbaum on Thursday, July 23, at 5 pm during a public celebration at the Portuguese-American Club.
At least ten or more years ago, I met Jean on a trip to Iceland Marilyn Wortman arranged for islanders. I have run into her just once since then, but have always wished our paths would cross more often. I am not surprised Jean, someone I found most generous, gregarious, and an interesting travel companion has been honored for her good works on the Island. No wonder I don’t see her; she is a busy woman. Congratulations, Jean.
Congratulations Jean. And so well deserved. Jean has also been an anchor for some of our Hospice events for many years. Bravo to you!
Congratulations to Jean!!! Well deserved!
I worked with Jean at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. She truly does have a heart of gold. The award is well deserved.