Lee and Sandy Levine Each year, in addition to its evaluation of the various grant requests submitted by agencies and organizations, the Foundation Grants Committee identifies a new initiative that is deemed the most creative and innovative new program.

The 2008 Grants Committee, chaired by David Schultz, consisted of Judge Gerald Weinstein, Sheila Friedman, Judy Galler, Gayle Gross, Foundation Chairman Bob Mayer and Izzy Posner. They determined that the unique proposed collaboration of Jewish Family Service, the Jewish Community Center and the ARC of Atlantic County in identifying and providing social, educational and recreational programming for autistic children was worthy of the honor of this special distinction.

This is the first time that the Arc of Atlantic County, who help people and their families with developmental disabilities, has been involved in the Foundation's grant-making process.

"After reviewing all of the wonderful proposals, one stood out as an unusual but important organizational partnership," said David Schultz, Grants Committee

Chair. "All of us know a family touched by autism. This new program will help us identify those families, engage them, and determine how we can help them."

Last year, Lee and Sandy Levine issued a challenge grant that resulted in just under $500,000 in new contributions to the Foundation. In recognition of that generosity, each year going forward, the Foundation will award special recognition to an innovative new initiative in their honor.