2025 Evening of Hope Honoree – Community Partner Award
Sharon Kozinn has been volunteering since she was a teenager growing up in Clifton. When she got married and had children of her own, Sharon wanted to instill in her two sons the importance of helping others and the difference it could make in someone’s life. She started a program at The David Goldberg Childcare Center, a nonprofit day care center in Westwood, called Kid to Kid. The program was highly successful, creating meaningful connections for both the volunteers and the students.
Over the years, Sharon has volunteered and held board and leadership positions at many community organizations, including the River Vale and Pascack Valley High School PTAs, the National Council of Jewish Women Mid Bergen Section, and Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley.
Although she has been involved with Center for Hope & Safety for over 30 years, her commitment deepened after she joined Temple Emanuel 14 years ago and got involved with the Community Service Committee. With the committee’s support, she launched a program to cook meals for residents of our Safe House. Sharon and a dedicated group of 100+ volunteers prepared and delivered meals on a bi-monthly basis until the pandemic forced them to pivot in 2020.
The dinners morphed into collections based on conversations with Center for Hope & Safety about what our clients need most. Sharon, supported by her committee, has delivered items by the carload, ranging from pajamas, socks and underwear, winter gear, toiletries, summer toys, school snacks, cleaning supplies, non-perishables and food for Thanksgiving meals.
Sharon’s support for Center for Hope & Safety includes financial and in-kind donations made on behalf of herself and her husband of 41 years, David. Now a proud grandmother, she has already introduced her 5-year-old grandson to the value of volunteering.
“People are grateful for the opportunity to help out, in any way, large or small,” she says. “Volunteering makes everyone feel good, and I truly believe we are making a difference.”
We are honored to present to Sharon Kozinn and Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley with our 2025 Community Partner Award.