Beth Shalom’s Shapiro Named a “Jenny’s Hero!”

Jenny Jones, host of The Jenny Jones Show from 1991 until 2003, is giving away 2 million dollars! Temple Beth Shalom’s Rabbi Merrill Shapiro felt that the fledgling Flagler County Cold-Weather Shelter Coalition could use some of those funds, particularly as the efforts to help the homeless on the coldest nights was beginning to show up on the heating bill of the host, First United Methodist Church of Bunnell.  

Jenny Jones has been well-known for her works of charity. She was an honorary chairperson for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Chicago Race for the Cure, an annual event that raises awareness and money for breast cancer research. Jones also donated a mobile mammography motor coach to Cook County Hospital. Then she founded the Jenny’s Heroes program to give away that 2 million dollars. The first million was given to benefit thousands of people through the identification of heroes who through their voluntary efforts create a better life for those in need in their own local communities.  

By singling out such heroes, Jones, especially at her website www.jennysheroes.com creates examples for others to follow. She takes pride in highlighting the efforts of rather ordinary people who have taken heroic actions to benefit those in need.

Rabbi Shapiro made application on behalf of the Flagler County Cold-Weather Shelter Coalition and received a grant of $3000 to purchase computer equipment and high-speed internet access at the shelter location in the First United Methodist Church of Bunnell.  

Shelter CEO Carla Traister and the Church’s Reverend Elizabeth Gardner, called Shapiro to get him to the church one morning for what was to be a newspaper “photo-op.” Upon arriving at the church and entering the office, there was a telephone call for the Rabbi. Shapiro took the phone and, on the other end of the line, Jenny Jones introduced herself and told the Rabbi of the grant.  

Now, the Shelter Coalition has a computer to organize and reach out to volunteers and is available to homeless guests to allow them internet access. “Traister and Gardner are the real heroes,” said Shapiro. “They are the ignition, the heat and the light that make this wonderful endeavor possible.”