Mendelson Family Receives United Way Miami Award for Outstanding Philanthropy
The family was honored at the Tocqueville Society Grand Reception at the home of Jennifer and Javier Cervera in Coral Gables.
The Mendelson family – Laurans and Arlene Mendelson; Kim and Eric Mendelson; and Lisa and Victor Mendelson received United Way Miami’s Tocqueville Award for Outstanding Philanthropy in recognition of their advancement of Miami and extraordinary contributions to its residents. The family was honored at the Tocqueville Society Grand Reception on March 16 at the home of Jennifer and Javier Cervera in Coral Gables. The evening was sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels and City National Bank as well as Andy Ansin and Goldman Sachs.
“The Mendelson’s have been invaluable supporters of Miami for generations,” said Joe Zubi, interim President and CEO, United Way Miami. “Their generosity, hard work and constant involvement in the community has benefited countless individuals and organizations across Miami. It was an honor to present this award to the family for their dedication in helping shape the future of Miami for years to come.”
Since 2008, the Mendelson’s have supported United Way Miami and became Tocqueville Society members between 2011 and 2013. Over the last few years, the family has made significant contributions to United Way’s Center for Excellence in Early Education – augmenting their work to ensure all children have access to the highest quality early care and education. Lisa Mendelson served on United Way Miami’s board of directors for nine years and Executive committee for six. During her tenure, she lobbied for early education policy both in Tallahassee and Washington D.C. and as a hands-on volunteer with United Way’s ReadingPals program. Lisa served as co-chair of the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education committee for two years and is a current committee member. Her leadership was recognized with the 2021 Donor Next Door Award for her dedication.
“The Mendelson family exemplifies the meaning of community and service,” says Jayne Abess, United Way Miami board chair emeritus. Their incredibly generous support throughout the years has been instrumental in helping us live our mission – particularly for our work in early education,” continued Abess.
In addition to United Way Miami, they also support organizations such as Columbia University, University of Miami, Teach for America, South Florida PBS, Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade, Frost Museum of Science, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Baptist Health South Florida, Everglades Foundation, St. Thomas University, Florida Grand Opera, ICA and more. The Mendelson’s have been recognized for their philanthropic work throughout the years. In 2018, the family was given the National Human Relations Award by the American Jewish Committee for their dedication to the community’s welfare at large and generous spirit. HistoryMiami also awarded them with the prestigious Flagler award for their contributions to the organization.
Brett Graff is SocialMiami.com’s managing editor and has been a journalist covering money, people and power for over 20 years. Graff contributes to national media outlets including Reuters, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Maxim, and the PBS show, Nightly Business Report. A former U.S. government economist, her nationally syndicated column The Home Economist is first published in The Miami Herald and then on the Tribune Content Agency, where it’s available to over 400 publications nationwide. She is broadcast weekly on two iHeartRadio news shows and is the author of “Not Buying It: Stop Overspending & Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids,” a parenting guide for people who might be tempted to buy their children the very obstacles they’re trying to avoid.
