Senior Community Bulletin

Fashion show fundraiser

More than 100 women gathered at Bloomingdales on March 8 for the Jewish Pavilion fashion show where Karen Selznick was honored for her compassionate volunteer work. Proceeds from the event will be used to provide Shabbat and holiday programming for 350 elderly Jews and more than 1,000 residents of all faiths in 50 long-term care communities. Fashion show participants learned that heavenly fabrics, adorned with vivid color, as well as soft neutrals are in for spring along with lace and floral prints.

Queen for a day

Jerry Leibman, on the right, plays a smiling King Achashverus as Margie White, on the left, is crowned Queen Esther, at a recent Jewish Pavilion Purim party at the newly renamed Atria at Lake Forest in Sanford. Purim is a joyous fun-filled holiday that commemorates Queen Esther who saved the Jews of Persia from destruction. Appropriately, both characters in this year’s Purim play are volunteers for the Jewish Pavilion, visiting weekly. Leibman conducts Shabbat services and White plays Mahjong and both are true to the mission of the Jewish Pavilion, enhancing the lives of seniors in long-term care, with their smiles and gentle manners. To find out more, contact the Jewish Pavilion at 407-678-9363.

Another Purim party

On March 9 at 9:30 a.m., with the raucous sound of plastic hand clappers, hooting toy horns, hissing and stomping of feet at the mention of the name of evil Haman, Winter Park Care and Rehabilitation and The Jewish Pavilion celebrated Purim with 40 people including employees, residents, vendors and family. We noshed on hamantash, a tri-cornered raspberry cookie resembling the hat Haman wore, and in place of wine, we drank fruit juice. The story of Queen Esther was presented by five amateur actors, and we sang and danced as we celebrated the successful fight against evil in Persia more than 2,300 years ago, a fight that still goes on to this day.

Ramping up

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) recently built 14 wheelchair ramps for Central Florida residents with disabilities during Rampage. More than 350 people volunteered to build wheelchair ramps for people with disabilities during the annual event.

During Rampage, CIL clients like Vietnam veteran Raymond Nicoulin (pictured) received wheelchair ramps. Fellow Military Officers Association of America veterans and two active duty marines constructed Nicoulin’s ramp.

“It was a great opportunity to apply our skills in helping someone truly in need. The teamwork exhibited between RLF and Allan and Conrad enriched the experience in this worthy effort,” said Steve Langston, Director of Design at RLF.

To date, CIL has completed 60 ramps through Rampage. For more information, visit cilorlando.org

Your input is needed!

If you are an elder or a caregiver, then the local “Area Agency on Aging” for Central Florida wants to know your thoughts, concerns and needs. This information will be used to develop the 2013-2015 strategic plan. To take this five-minute survey, visitsraflorida.org and go to the “Events and News” section.