Representatives of Hatzolah were joined by Jeanne Rus Litvin and her family at the ceremony. (photo courtesy of Hatzolah of Los Angeles)

Hatzolah of Los Angeles presented a $25,000 reward on May 5 to a good Samaritan who helped locate missing woman. Representatives of Hatzolah were joined at the ceremony by Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District.

Jeanne Rus Litvin, 78, went missing on April 15. She was last seen near Wilshire Boulevard and Cochran Avenue. Volunteers with Hatzolah, as well as law enforcement and community partners, launched an intensive search for Litvin.

On April 17, Huntington Park resident Maggie Castellanos saw an elderly woman who appeared disoriented on a home security camera and intervened. Castellanos stayed with Litvin and contacted emergency services, which led to the elderly woman’s reunification with her family.

“We do not always get this kind of ending. Too often, the stories we hear do not end this way. That is why this moment matters,” Yaroslavsky said. “It shows what is possible when people take responsibility for each other. It shows that small actions, paying attention, making a call, staying with someone, can change the outcome. Today, a family is back together. A community that was scared is now relieved. And we are reminded that there are people in this city who step up when it counts.”

Hatzolah of Los Angeles was created to enhance pre-hospital care and provide rapid response. The organization supports existing city services, making lifesaving care more accessible to the community. Hatzolah operates 24 hours in the Fairfax/La Brea, Pico-Robertson and North Hollywood areas, providing trained medical responders in the community. For information, visit hatzolahofla.org.