MEET CONCERN’S 2019 BLOCK PARTY HONOREES:
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Judy Carroll, Lexy & John Carroll ​& The Carroll Family

Four Generations and a Lifetime of Giving

​It was in the early 70's when Dick Carroll’s sister Lolly died of cancer - she was not yet 50. Cancer had never come that close to the Carroll family before.  The feelings of helplessness sent Judy and Dick on a quest to find a meaningful way to begin to alleviate their grief.

Judy heard about a new charity group, the Concern Foundation that dealt with providing funding for cancer research. This small group of dedicated people were looking to make a difference in a world where just the utterance of the word “cancer” would shake a family to its core.

The Carrolls volunteered and immediately found themselves involved in what would be the first Block Party on Rodeo Drive.  As the owner of Carroll & Company and head of the Rodeo Drive merchants association Dick secured permission by the other store owners and the city of Beverly Hills to close down the street, and they both set out making plans with a group of “the hardest working young men and women they had ever encountered”.  They enlisted other family members to help - their children and Judy’s parents Sylvia and David Weisz all joined in the efforts. This was the beginning of long relationship with Concern and the Carroll Family.

In 2002, John joined the Concern Board followed by Lexy and they both have served as Co-Chairs of the organization’s Executive Board. Lexy continued the family tradition by serving on the Block Party Committee for the last 15 years and as the event chair for the last 9 years in a row. Their children, Melanie, Whitney and Alex began volunteering at a young age and continue their support and commitment to the cause.  Whitney’s first job out of college was taking on the role of administrative assistant for over two years.
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The Carroll Family has not escaped cancer.  Judy’s grandmother, father and aunt lost the battle as did Dick’s niece and Lexy’s father.  There is some good news – all three of Judy’s daughters (John’s sisters) are cancer survivors, and will be fine thanks to the many advances that have been made in medical research. 

This year, the Carrolls will be presented the "Lifetime of Giving Award" a recognition that is clearly long overdue and well deserved for their long involvement and support…44 years to be exact.  They insisted it be a family affair with Judy, Lexy, John and their family all taking part in the activities.  A beautiful legacy of four generations of the Carroll Family have been and continue to be active participants in Concern Foundation.