“I need to be busy.” Norma Gindes lives up to this statement every day. Her energy is one of the reasons BVMI had a great beginning. Norma became BVMI’s first Executive Director in 2010, and accomplished much before she and her husband Robert “moved south” seven years ago.
“BVMI was one of the most rewarding best places I ever worked,” said Norma. “What we did there spoke to my values, so I continued to make annual donations to them. Then in 2021 my husband and I decided to join BVMI’s Legacy Society. Legacy donations are one of the ways that your children can witness what you think is important in life. They’re also key to a nonprofit’s sustainability. Traditional grants are always needed, but they can have a limited life span. Legacy gifts can benefit future generations.”
Norma is now well rooted in North Carolina. She’s surrounded by family, including her five grandchildren. “When we moved here, people welcomed us right away,” she said. “There’s a sense of social action and social justice in our area. That’s important to us. I’ve joined a social action committee on behalf of the Beth El Synagogue in Durham that works with congregations of various faiths. We help people in many ways, be it a local food drive or sponsoring a newly immigrated family.”
Norma’s other community involvements have included the Sandra E. Lerner Jewish Community Day School, the National Board of Hadassah and Dress for Success, to name a few. Her need to remain busy is certainly being met.
“You stay young and alert when you’re stimulated and around other people,” Norma said. “I learned that from my board members at BVMI. The organization keeps moving forward to serve its patients in new ways, with support from local companies, major corporations, and community partners. And donors can clearly understand the impact they’ll make.”
Thanks for continuing to believe in us, Norma. Coming from you, it means a lot.
