Thinking big, their goal is $100m for elders charity
Irwin Chafetz is incredibly generous with his own money, but asking others to give is not his favorite activity. That's why he calls his decision to accept the chairmanship of the More Than Ever Campaign for Hebrew SeniorLife "a weak moment in my life." The 104-year-old organization is committed to improving the quality of life for seniors through housing, healthcare, research, and teaching programs in the Boston area. And it's attempting to raise $100 million to do it.
Chafetz is director of The Interface Group, a Massachusetts company that controls Interface Group-Massachusetts LLC. Interface Group-Massachusetts owns and operates GWV Vacations, New England's largest charter tour operator; and Sunburst Vacations LLC, a national tour operator.
He and his wife, Roberta, have contributed $2 million toward the $100 million goal of the More Than Ever Campaign.
The organization includes Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston; three apartment complexes, in Revere, Randolph, and Brookline; the Institute for Aging Research in Boston; Orchard Cove retirement community in Canton; and NewBridge on the Charles, a multigenerational community in Dedham.
Chafetz also persuaded his business partner, Sheldon Adelson, to contribute $15 million to the campaign. Adelson, founder and director of Interface Group, was honored at a fund-raising event at Symphony Hall Wednesday , during which he pledged another $5 million, bringing the total raised to about $70 million. The fund-raiser featured the Boston Pops Orchestra, along with Marvin Hamlisch and Israeli singer Dudu Fisher.
Other gifts have included a $1 million pledge from Fred and Gilda Slifka. Fred Slifka is chairman of Global Companies LLC, a petroleum and energy marketing firm.
"If these people didn't give, it wouldn't be as good a world as it is," Chafetz said of the contributors. "To see elderly people so happy is worth everything."
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