Bunchy Gertner: A Legacy of Love and Holiday Magic for Children in Foster Care

By Kadie Black, Voices For Children President & CEO

If you ever had the privilege of meeting Annabel “Bunchy” Gertner, you understand the enormity of her loss. Even if you didn’t meet her but are involved with the foster care system in Miami-Dade, chances are you’ve heard her name and are familiar with her efforts to make the world brighter for children experiencing foster care. Sadly, Bunchy passed away on May 4, 2024. She was 89.

I met Bunchy when I was nine years old. My mom took me to one of her Voices For Children Toy Drives (that took place in what she affectionately called the North Pole). That year, the North Pole was housed in a dilapidated warehouse that DCF had lent Bunchy for the toy drive. I was there to serve as one of Bunchy’s elves, one of the volunteers joining her to sort and wrap gifts. That day, one of Bunchy’s other elves was a foster parent, Trudy Petkovich, who had two newborn babies with her who had been found in a trash can. I think I spent more time loving up on those babies than wrapping, but at that moment, I realized some children were far less fortunate than I and needed a voice. That moment has stayed with me for my entire life – if my fate wasn’t sealed before then, it certainly was at that moment.

Bunchy’s annual tradition (initially the Voices For Children toy drive, later Our Kids, and most recently Citrus) brought holiday cheer to more than 90,000 children and youth in foster care or independent living. Year after year, until 2022, Bunchy tirelessly worked for months leading up to Christmas to ensure every child in care had a wrapped gift to open.  Bunchy also made sure that teens aging out of the system were given age-appropriate Christmas presents to help prepare them for independent living, such as sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, dishes, cookware, and hygiene products.

To us, she was Bunchy; but to thousands of children in care, she was Santa.

Bunchy’s efforts ventured outside the North Pole (which later relocated to Gulfstream Park); she served on the Voices For Children Board of Directors for many years, her leadership and passion invaluable. She actively shaped Voices For Children’s work through grant writing, committee service, and even, as I recently discovered, by taking on the role of Interim Director at a crucial time with no pay.

Bunchy was a Renaissance woman who worked professionally in the culinary world, opening her own sweets shop in North Miami called Bunchy’s Munchies and later owning several Kenny Rogers franchises. A mother and grandmother, Bunchy's compassion extended beyond her immediate family to champion South Florida's children and youth in care. She was creative, compassionate, and so smart.  She was vibrant: she always wore bright colors that seemed to reflect her internal light.

I recently read a 2012 article from CBS News highlighting Bunchy's efforts. The article concluded with a quote that perfectly captured Bunchy's dedication:

"I know in my heart that what I do is enough. When I go to bed I know that I have fulfilled my mission and done my job well."

Rest peacefully, Bunchy. Your dedication leaves a lasting legacy. We will continue to be inspired by your mission-driven spirit.