Most people travel through life and contemplate being charitable. Few of them actually act on it. But many are lucky enough to find a way to become actively involved in a cause of their own personal choice and make a difference. That's what happened to Gail.

She was born in the Bronx, New York, a concrete jungle that challenges the simplest parts of growing up. She was the eldest of four siblings, taking the part of role model early on. Although she wasn't particularly athletic she became interested in a sport that required little physical effort other than team work and a lot of enthusiasm. Every Saturday afternoon Gail would go to the Race Track with her father; it taught her the joy of sharing time with someone special.

When she graduated the University of New York at Stonybrook, she walked away with a BS in Math and the world at her feet. The world may have kept spinning, but Gail knew it stood still when she left for California in 1969 to marry Ira Brodsky, a student whom she had met while visiting Los Angeles every summer. They married in NY but it didn't take long before they drove cross-country to begin their lives together in California. Now a wife and resident of Los Angeles, she worked at the Department of Water & Power to support Ira through law school. By 1974, their first child, Jamie, was born. By 1977, Wesley arrived, giving them 2 sons and a full life ahead of them. Raising the boys became Gail's priority, and why wouldn't they be? They were healthy, active, sports minded, and a handful. In between raising the boys, she gave her time to the classroom, volunteering to teach computer skills. Ira had his career in full swing and before she knew it, the boys had grown into young men who didn't need her as much. Never being one to sit idle, she knew there was a change in the making.

Gail went back to work in the clothing industry. Her spare time began to fill up with an athletic interest that eluded her in her youth. There was exercise of all kinds, and eventually she found herself doing marathons, biking great distances with Ira, and falling in love with the outdoors. Hiking took a special liking to Gail, and she became smitten with the fitness it offered and the beauty it provided. These endless hikes opened her heart, and she realized there had to be a way to share her passion with those who had never experienced nature on this level.

That brings us back to the client's dinner. It was then that Gail was introduced to the Children's Nature Institute, and she knew that the meeting had to be fate. She immediately became involved and gave tirelessly of her time, her wisdom, and her love of nature, children, and of "giving back" what she's been blessed with.

Today, after 5 dedicated years to the Institute and their efforts, Gail works at Ira's firm (Taylor & Lieberman) as an Assistant Bookkeeper. The boys are men now. Jamie is an Attorney, engaged, and living in Kentucky. Wesley lives in Sherman Oaks and is a successful Entrepreneur.

Gail and Ira have recently bought a second home in Huntington Beach and "escape" almost every weekend to enjoy time together, which, by the way, includes nature hikes!