Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Bonnie Slavitt and Zoey Drew

As we head into the summer months, our Equipped to Learn Backpack Drive (ETL) is in full swing, and we’d like to take a moment to recognize two of our longtime volunteer duo, Bonnie Slavitt and her granddaughter Zoey Drew, who have worked on this project together for the past 10 years, since the very beginning of it.

Bonnie has been a dedicated part of Silicon Valley’s Jewish community for over 50 years, serving both professionally and as a volunteer. When she first heard about ETL, she saw it as a meaningful way to give back and to share the experience with her then-5-year-old granddaughter, Zoey. What began as a fun way for Zoey to learn her letters by sorting supplies has grown into a decade-long tradition that continues to deepen their bond and create lasting memories. 

In 2020, Zoey was honored to speak at the JFS Silicon Valley Annual Meeting, where she shared her experiences as a volunteer, an opportunity that filled her with pride, much like her ongoing volunteer work does. Now 15 and heading into her sophomore year of high school, Zoey reflects on how this experience helped her develop empathy and a deeper connection to her community. For Bonnie, it’s been a joy to watch her granddaughter embrace the spirit of giving back and grow through their shared service. 

Moments like these are what make our community special. They remind us that service can be a bridge across generations, creating meaningful bonds and lasting values. We’re grateful to Bonnie and Zoey for their dedication to the program and for demonstrating what it means to grow through giving together.