Making an Impact

Palisadian Philanthropist Ella Zarky Honored at MS Society Southern California Chapter’s “Dinner of Champions”

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

What is the secret to a fulfilling life? For Ella Zarky, the answer is having hope.

“How do I define hope?” the longtime Palisadian asked. “Tomorrow will be better.”

Zarky, who turned 95 years young on August 7, spends her days working to make the world a better place, tirelessly raising money to find a cure for multiple sclerosis—a cause that has been near and dear to her heart for four decades. She maintained that her volunteerism is what keeps her youthful—a fact that those who know her best will affirm.

At the end of September in the Mark Taper Courtyard at Skirball Cultural Center, Zarky was the Impact Award honoree at the 43rd annual Los Angeles Dinner of Champions, benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The goal was to raise $375,000 by bidding on items at live and silent auctions, as well as participating in a golden ticket drawing, as attendees gathered for the first time since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system that afflicts an estimated one million people in the United States alone. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis, and there is currently no cure—though Zarky is optimistic that will change soon.

“I feel we have to give because science is finding the answer … not will find the answer—is finding the answer,” she said. “I want to share my faith that we are close to the end of multiple sclerosis. We have found an answer to polio that crippled people when I was in high school. We have found an answer to AIDS—it is no longer dreaded by everybody. It can be controlled. Now we have found an answer to COVID … and for MS, we are on the cusp of an answer. I think we are very, very close.”

Zarky was chosen for her legacy of leadership, philanthropy and unrelenting dedication to those living with MS. The Impact Award honors an individual who has a long partnership with the National MS Society and whose considerable philanthropic activities strengthen the community at large.

Someone like Zarky, who has dedicated most of her life to volunteering and currently spends nearly seven days per week donating her time and resources to those in need throughout Los Angeles. She has been committed to supporting people experiencing homelessness since she came to the area, and has personally been responsible for a steady stream of blankets, food and essentials.

In fact, back in 2017, Zarky spent her 91st birthday feeding homeless individuals at the Venice Beach Boardwalk, handing out 60 lunches. A popular volunteer with The People Concern, she told the Palisadian-Post that feeding people brought her a “joyful fulfillment.” It still does.

“Most of the friends I have I have made through doing things with multiple sclerosis,” Zarky said. “Bike riding with them, discussing their problems with them, being overwhelmed by their goodness … it’s called giving back. I do it because I have a nice life and because I’m physically able to. My mother always used to say to me, ‘You can do more, you can do more,’ and that still rings in my ears.”

When Zarky learned that two of her brother’s three children were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she immediately reached out to the National MS Society. Beginning in 1983—the very same year she moved to the Palisades—she participated in Bike MS on and off until 2015, and has singlehandedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support those living with MS.

“Ella first struck me as having spectacular energy—I called her about this event and in the middle of telling her contractors how to do their job, she told me we have to have a virtual component, we have to make sure we’re flexible because of COVID so we have the right number of people at every table,” said Dinner of Champions Chairman and National MS Society Southern California Board of Trustee member John Giovannone, who introduced Zarky at the September 30 benefit. “Ella has been a spectacular influence on the Society—first getting involved in Bike MS and now the Walk. She’s been a wonderful influence on this tremendous organization.”

In 2015, at the age of 89, Zarky participated in the Bike MS: Coastal Challenge from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara after raising $15,000—making her one of Bike MS’ top five contributors that year—after having told the Post the year before that 2014 would be her last time participating due to age.

“People have to have something to do and think about besides themselves.” Zarky said. “They have to be productive members of society. If they have health they must give back to those who don’t. When you participate it does you more good, it gives you something to think about. It’s better for you than the people who are getting whatever little you have to give.”

Pamela Thompson, a volunteer for the National MS Society’s Southern California Chapter and senior executive director of development at NPR, contributed to a video presentation dedicated to Zarky at the benefit.

“What really inspires me about Ella is her focus and steadfast commitment to helping people with MS,” Thompson shared. “Everywhere Ella goes she’s known for her work with the MS Society and she asks absolutely everyone to give in some way whatever they can.”

Also speaking on Zarky’s behalf in the video was friend and fellow Palisadian Susan Payne, a real estate agent and past chair of Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce.

“Ella’s very energizing because she’s so active and she does so many good things that she makes you want to do good things,” Payne said. “She told me all about what she does for MS. I rode in three bike rides with her over the years. She would do anything she can to help you, and if you need her to help you raise money, especially for MS, she would be happy to do so. She’s a formidable fundraiser. She should give classes … and she just keeps at it. She will never stop.”

Not wanting to draw attention to herself, Zarky gave a brief but poignant statement at the dinner, one that sums up who she is and what she is about.

“I have wonderful friends who have helped me,” she shared. “Nobody could do it alone. I have friends that I call ‘She Who Must Be Obeyed.’ And if they tell me to go out and work, I go out and work.”