Swampscott resident Jeff Bruner received the Ernie Haas Presidential Award from the Epstein Hillel School.

The award is given in memory of Ernie Haas, who was a long-time supporter of the Epstein Hillel School. It honors people who have demonstrated loyalty and active support for the school.

“I did not think I would get this award,” Bruner told the Swampscott Tides. “There’s so many people that help out and do things for the school.”

Haas, who was a Swampscott resident for 50 years before dying in 2011, served as a longtime board member at the Epstein Hillel School. He actively participated on the budget and finance as well as tuition assistance committees after his sons attended the school in the 1970s.

Board Vice Chair Carrie Berger presented the award to Bruner.

“Since 2017, Jeff has been an involved EHS parent, always ready to help and truly passionate about our school—just like Ernie was,” Berger said. “Jeff is a doer, someone who rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.”

Bruner has served on the school’s board of directors since 2022. He just assumed the position to serve on the executive committee as secretary.

His children have gone to Epstein Hillel School since they were in kindergarten. Now, they will be in seventh and eighth grade this fall. Bruner said, though, that his family had “gotten so engrained in the community” that they moved from Peabody to Swampscott to be closer and more involved.

Bruner said he grew up seeing examples of his parents volunteering, so it felt like a natural thing to do himself. The same goes for his wife, Cassie, who he said also deserves recognition for her work within the school.

Most recently, Bruner played the role of grant writer to help the Epstein Hillel School gather vendor quotes, organize support documents and account for details to apply for support for security measures within the school.

“It’s been really rewarding to do that for the school and get some recognition with some money back,” Bruner said. “Anything to make them feel safe. It can be a detriment in general if a parent doesn’t feel safe sending their kids to school because of what’s happening overseas.”

The Epstein Hillel School was awarded two grants. One for personnel to offset the cost of a full-time security guard. The other is for hardware for new front doors, security film and other preventative measures. 

“I’m going to continue in my mission to help out the school in any way possible,” Bruner said.