Hands-On Help for those in Need
“We feel good about
what we do.”
– Carol & Lionel Greenbaum
For loyal MorseLife supporters Carol and Lionel Greenbaum, community service is a way of life. Not content with simply sending a check to worthy causes, both Carol and Lionel adopted a “hands-on” approach to charitable giving early in their lives.
While still in high school, Carol volunteered at the hospital and clinic where her stepfather was a staff physician. There she learned firsthand the importance of providing healthcare services to those in need. This initial lesson was reinforced when Carol traveled to Israel in 1961. What began as an enlightened awareness of the critical need for compassion has continued for more than 40 years. Currently, Carol serves as a member of the Friends of MorseLife Board. She also serves on the Federation’s Women’s Division Board and was a past President of the Women’s Division, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
Throughout his dynamic and successful career with Merrill Lynch, Lionel served on numerous nonprofit boards, first in Cleveland, then in New York, and ultimately in the Palm Beaches. Although he retired from Merrill Lynch in 1999 after 47 years of executive service, Lionel continues his active involvement with and support of numerous charitable organizations. Chief among his priorities is MorseLife, an interest that spans 20 years: Lionel is an esteemed member of three MorseLife boards. In addition, he serves as Vice President of the Morse Geriatric Board.
Over the years, the Greenbaums have extended generous financial support to MorseLife. Most recently the couple arranged for a bequest to the senior community, one of several legacy gifts they have made to nonprofits. Both Lionel and Carol stressed strongly, “A legacy gift is not a substitute for annual giving. We believe in annual giving while you’re alive, and then providing more support through your will.” Through the growth of the Tradition of the Palm Beaches, the Greenbaums have been able to see some of the changes made possible by their thoughtful contributions to MorseLife.
An especially heartwarming aspect of the couple’s ongoing dedication to MorseLife is their insistence that any volunteer efforts be enriching and intimate experiences. For Example, through the Homebound Mitzvah Program during the High Holidays, they assist in the packing, delivering and serving of meals to needy seniors. “We like to see the smiles on their faces when we deliver these meals,” the Greenbaums stated. “We feel good about what we do.”
Carol and Lionel Greenbaum are living examples of MorseLife’s mission at work. Through their generosity of action and spirit, they honor senior living. Perhaps it is because they are close in age to those they help that the Greenbaums agreed, “We can understand their needs. We are committed to ensuring the continuation of programs and services for the next tidal wave of seniors.”