JFS-LV is pleased to honor Bernie Filler as Volunteer of the Year. Bernie has been an officer on our agency's board of directors for the past eight years, serving as treasurer, vice-president, president and immediate past president.

Bernie's involvement with JFS-LV began in the late 1980s, when our agency assisted him in making plans for his mother. He felt that the advice offered was very helpful, and he decided that, after he retired, he would "give back" as a volunteer.

"I feel great satisfaction in helping other people," Bernie says. "I enjoy working with the JFS-LV staff, and seeing the community being served makes me happy."

In addition to serving on the board, Bernie has assisted JFS-LV in many other ways. He set up a computerized bookkeeping system, led agency fundraisers, and helped raise funds for JFS-LV's new building. He distributes Passover baskets made by Congregation Beth El for JFS-LV clients. Bernie is also active at Congregation Keneseth Israel, where his contributions as a volunteer, along with those of his wife, Bunny, were honored last year. The year before that, Bernie received special recognition by Keneseth Israel's Brotherhood.

Native New Yorkers, Bernie and Bunny have lived in Allentown since 1963.

Bunny is a teacher at the Jewish Day School. The Fillers have a son, Jed, of Salem, Massachusetts, who is a synagogue educator; a daughter, Mara, of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, who is a French teacher; and three grandchildren.

Bernie enjoys gardening, working on his HO trains, doing repairs and maintenance in the house, and spending time with his wonderful grandchildren. When he retired, friends gave him a hammock and a carpenter's belt, both of which give him great joy.

We congratulate Bernie and thank him for his many years of dedication to JFS-LV.