First Call, a nonprofit geared towards helping those impacted by addiction, has named Jewish community members Karen and Jeffry Gerson as its event chairs for its annual celebration, now called the First Call Soirée.
The First Call Soirée will be held on Sept. 28 at Hotel Kansas City. In conjunction with National Recovery Month, the organization’s yearly fundraiser will feature a dinner, both live and silent auctions and performances by local artists who have ties to recovery.
Jeffry Gerson was Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s Dan Fingersh Young Adult Leader award recipient in 2004 and remains involved and committed to numerous organizations in the community. He has been a practicing optometrist in the Greater Kansas City area for more than 25 years. He was named Kansas Young Optometrist of the Year in 2008 and is recognized as an opinion leader in optometry, serving as an advisor and consultant to more than ten companies over his career. He has spent much of his time volunteering. Gerson started a free exam and glasses program 20 years ago, works with Special Olympics, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Kansas State School for the Blind. His community involvement spans the same timeframe as his professional career, where he has served on numerous boards and committees, including at his kids’ school.
Karen Gerson has been an active community leader and volunteer since moving to Kansas City more than 25 years ago. She served as director of after school care programming and camp at The J and was Federation’s director of informal Jewish education for more than 12 years, among other community roles. She also frequently volunteers with community organizations such as Priya.
She obtained a master’s degree around the time she was introduced to First Call. After interning at First Call, she worked there before becoming an active board member, where she remains an active advocate for the organization.
“Because of both personal and professional experiences, we have long been advocates for supporting mental health issues and reducing stigmas associated with them,” she said. “Having worked with numerous organizations, we believe in First Call because of the life-changing work that it does and dedicated professional staff that carry out the mission and vision.”
Artist John Bukaty, an American pioneer of the live painting movement, will be performing at the Soiree. He rose from trauma, addiction, heartbreak, and economic struggle to pursue art, which has been rewarded with opportunities to paint in historically significant environments. He has dedicated his life to serving art, giving back to his community, and using his talents to connect with the world around him.
This year’s “Recovery and the Arts” theme will also include Neon Signs, Nettie Zan and Jackie Denning, who all have ties to recovery.
Sponsorships and tickets may be purchased at firstcallkc.org/soiree or through Sarah Link Ferguson at .