Wizo UK's annual Rebecca Sieff Day this year showcased the charity's latest initiative - Wizo gift tokens.
Intended as a fundraising alternative to the usual gifts of wine or chocolates to a host or hostess, the gift tokens will be fully launched nationally in September.
But they were unveiled for the first time in London, at a lunch to honour stalwart members who have raised thousands of pounds for Wizo.
On sale for a suggested £10 donation, the tokens would bring in £250,000 annually if half of Wizo's members purchased four cards a year. "It is such a simple scheme but it will be of enormous benefit to children and families at risk," the charity says.
Merlis Cohen of Stanmore received the Lily Sieff award for services to Wizo, having been instrumental in the bar- and batmitzvah collection for Jewish Women's Week.
Rebecca Sieff awards went to two senior Wizo workers, Rhoda Livingston from Glasgow and Ros Shenderey from Leeds. Mrs Livingston was praised by the charity's Gina Monty as "loyal, reliable, trustworthy and incredibly hospitable" and her honour recognised "outstanding dedication to Wizo and the people of Israel".
Like Mrs Livingston, Mrs Shenderey is a fixture in her community. The Wizo group to which her mother belonged was recently disbanded. "The average age was 95," Mrs Shenderey noted. "They loved coming to meetings, but they couldn't stay awake."
