Posted by Jocelyn Gordon

This was my second time volunteering at the JF&CS Benefit. This year, my role allowed me to be in the ballroom to watch and live tweet the programming (check out #JFCSBenefit on Twitter to see quotes and photos from the evening). The positive energy from all attendees is hard to describe. Fifty tables were filled with members of the JF&CS Board and Board of Advocates, JF&CS Executive Team and staff, friends and family of those honored, event sponsors, first-time Benefit attendees, and two tables of JF&CS Young Professionals; it was clear how much the work of JF&CS meant to all in attendance.

My favorite part of the night was the live auction, chaired by Susan Wilk and led by auctioneer extraordinaire Hal Garnick. My grandfather is an auctioneer, and I've grown up attending and assisting at antique auctions. My job as an elementary school student was to display the least desired items to the audience in hopes bidders may throw up their bidding cards to make me smile. Susan and Hal did not need any tricks to get bids. After Susan set the price for an item, competitive bidding instantly began! It was exciting and fun to watch Hal moving from one bidder to the next, and the room erupted in cheers when each item sold.

Another highlight of the evening was hearing directly from those who have been helped by JF&CS. We heard from Eliza, Lauren & Mark Rubin Visiting Moms® participant and watched the premier of this year's agency video. The 2013 video featured three different JF&CS programs: Family Table, Schechter Holocaust Services, and In-Home Behavioral Services. Working at the agency, I know our mission and appreciate the work that we do in the community, but it is still moving to hear stories directly from those who have benefitted from our services.

A huge thank you to everyone who bought a raffle ticket, placed a bid in the auction, attended the event, and a personal thank you to those who tweeted @jfcsboston from the Benefit- I loved seeing your thoughts in real-time.

Jocelyn Gordon, a 2011 graduate from UMass Amherst, is the Communications Associate at JF&CS. Jocelyn also volunteers at Jewish Big Brother Big Sister as a Big Sister and with the CHAI Connection, their young professional board, and is active in CJP's Young Leadership Division. She plays in a 3D dodgeball league in Boston and loves spending time with her family and two Bernese Mountain Dogs.