Volunteer of the Month: Olga Worm Brings the Community Together

By Mimi Pollack

 

SAN DIEGO — In my search for volunteers to feature, I was told about this month’s volunteer, Olga Worm, and all her philanthropic work. For many years, I had heard of Bekker’s Catering and the owners who ran it, Olga and Oscar Worm. I had heard that for many San Diego teens, it was a rite of passage to get their first job there.

I also learned that the Worms believe in giving people second chances and have hired ex-felons looking to start a new life. I discovered that for Olga Worm, bringing communities together and giving back are an important part of her life’s work.

According to Worm, Bekker’s is the largest catering company in San Diego, and takes pride in being a family-owned part of the community for 67 years, 40 of which Olga and Oscar have been the proprietors. They have catered many occasions, including Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, galas, and other work-related and personal events over the years.

Along with tending to the business and taking care of her family and employees, Worm’s life has been dedicated to volunteer work and giving back to the community.

As she says, “I feel strongly that everything revolves around community – our own families, our Jewish community and the larger worldwide community.  I have been very fortunate to have a great family and business, as well as be part of the wonderful San Diego Jewish community.  I try to help others at every opportunity I can and to give back to my community.  I personally plan many events, both professionally and as a volunteer for many organizations, because I love to bring people together to enjoy each other, and to further the future of our Jewish community.”

She continues, “One of my favorite sayings is “Work solves all problems”.  Also, to paraphrase from Maya Angelou, “People will not remember what you said, they will not remember what you did, they will only remember how you made them feel.” Worm says one of her greatest joys in life is to make people feel good!

With a background in theater arts, teaching for several years, and even owning a shoe business, she is well prepared to work with all kinds of people. She is also at ease in both urban and rural settings, having grown up in Idaho before moving to the LA area to attend Pomona College and later move to San Diego. Her interest in bringing community together began in Idaho with the small Jewish community in the town where she lived. It continued to grow with the much larger Jewish community in San Diego.

For many years, she and her husband lived in Alpine and enjoyed a country lifestyle. They raised llamas, and she was a 4 H leader.

For her, giving back is an important part of how she practices Tikkun Olam. She continues, “We share our resources with many individuals and organizations through food and financial and time donations, as well as by creating jobs and opportunities for many diverse individuals from all walks of life.  I am very proud to have taught so many young people ‘how to work’ and giving a second chance to many who needed it.  I love it when I see someone turn their life around and become a success with just a little nurturing.”

Worm is very proud of the awards she has received from the National Council of Jewish Women, Tifereth Israel Sisterhood and Synagogue, Salvation Army, National Association of Women Business Owners, San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and Voices of our City Choir.

Her passion and exuberant energy continue to inspire others.

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Mimi Pollack is a freelance writer based in La Mesa, California, who would like to receive your suggestion for a Jewish volunteer to feature.  Please contact her at mimi.pollack@sdjewishworld.com