David and Helen Shapiro

David Shapiro was only 4 years old when his father died. David and his brother were raised by their mother and an extended family of aunts and uncles who had come to America in search of a better life.

Helen Ecker Shapiro also was the child of immigrants. Helen's father established a contracting firm, M. Ecker & Co. David Shapiro started working there as a truck driver in high school, and went on to head a multi-state business.

Helen and David Shapiro were high school sweethearts who waited until they were 30 to marry. Once they were financially secure, they were able to devote more of their resources to charitable endeavors.

David Shapiro passed away in 1988, and Helen passed away in 2004 at the age of 90. The couple left a generous bequest to benefit their Jewish community.