Luzerne Foundation honors Larry and Gerri Kaplan Agencies receiving funding

Calm moments are rare in the Kaplan household, where Rabbi Larry and his wife, Gerri, have taken in 55 foster children and adopted two during the last six years, on top of taking care of five of their own children.

Their commitment to the children of the community made them stand out to The Luzerne Foundation, a community foundation that awards grants to local organizations. At Tuesday night’s annual awards dinner, the couple received the Mary Bevevino Community Service Award.

“They’ve taken in over 50 foster children through Luzerne County Children and Youth Services, and it’s a real testament to their real heart and soul,” foundation President Charles Barber said. “They recognize that children are a real resource.”

Larry Kaplan is the rabbi at Temple Israel in Wilkes-Barre and has taught at Wyoming Seminary and King’s College. His wife is the principal of Temple Israel Hebrew School, and both volunteer and sit on several boards for local organizations. That’s actually how the family got started fostering, Larry Kaplan said.

“I got onto the board of Children and Youth Services, and it was very powerful being on the board because the experiences were heart wrenching,” he said. “I certainly have a lot of compassion for what people are going through. It’s not like anyone wakes up in the morning and decides to become addicted to drugs.”

Fostering one child quickly led to a total of 55 during six years, something Barber said was amazing and wonderful for the community. The Kaplans brought many of their children and two current foster babies to the dinner, and many friends, including former Temple Israel President Dick Goldberg, came to offer support.

“Not only does he talk the talk, he walks the walk,” Goldberg said. “He leads by example. Just look at all these kids.”

Along with honoring the Kaplans, The Luzerne Foundation announced 11 organizations would receive grants this spring.

The average grant is for $2,000, which comes from community donations, Barber said. A donor can create an endowed fund with a $10,000 contribution, according to the foundation Web site, www.luzfdn.org.

The organizations and their projects that are receiving grants for from The Luzerne Foundation are:

n Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit — Hazleton Welcome Center.

n Serento Gardens; Alcohol and Drug Services Inc. — Communities United/Communidades Unidas Publication.

n Athena Project — You Are You.

n The Care and Concern Free Health Clinic of Pittston — Free Health Clinic.

n The Arc of Luzerne County — Community Education for Mental Retardation.

n The Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind — Time Management Skills Training for the Blind.

n Ballet Northeast — The Nutcracker Ballet.

n Cori’s Place — Sounds of the Season.

n Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic — Scholarships for Young People’s Concert Program.

n Plymouth Historical Society Inc, — Walk Repair Maintenance.

n Foundation for Free Enterprise Education — Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week 2008.

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BY ERIN MOODY - emoody@citizensvoice.com