Happy Fannie Hutzler Day

Every May 5, over 1,000 people – the residents of Beth Sholom Home, Beth Sholom Woods and six other agencies for youth and the elderly – celebrate Fannie Hutzler’s birthday. It’s a day many look forward to year after year.

Mrs. Hutzler’s family has celebrated her birthday with the community ever since she passed away in 1891. For many years the Hutzler family handled the celebration themselves, but in 1933, Henry Hutzler decided to ensure that the tradition be carried on after his passing.  He sought the help of what is now Richmond Jewish Foundation to establish the Fannie Hutzler Fund to do just that.

“I give and bequeath a sum to be held in Trust in memory of my mother, Fannie Hutzler, as a perpetual fund for ‘Fannie Hutzler Day’…the income from said Fund to be used for a ‘birthday party’ (cake, candy, ice cream, etc.) to be given on each 5th of May, the children or inmates of certain named institutions, all of Richmond, Virginia,” probated in 1933.

In addition to Beth Sholom Home and Beth Sholom Woods, birthday parties will take place at The Virginia Home, United Methodist Home, Virginia Home for Boys, Masonic Home of Virginia, St. Joseph’s Villa and Friends Association for Children.

Henry Hutzler would be pleased to know that his simple bequest has brought so much happiness to so many.

Happy birthday, Fannie!