More than candles lit up Chanukah for senior citizens

Most recently, I had the privilege of celebrating a Pavilion Chanukah party with the seniors at the Mayflower Retirement Home in Winter Park, where a cadre of volunteers helped Program Director Judy Procell add warmth to the first night's festivities. Sponsors Sally Kopke, Nancy Bland, and the Gaeser family gifted the residents' plates of latkes along with a dose of Chanukah cheer. Volunteers Ellen Hrabovsky and Lisa Rizgony along with her grandchildren visited with the seniors. Volunteer, Haley Gaeser (JFGO Mensch of the Week at the time), lit up that first Chanukah night with her warm smile, as she sat side by side with a pair of residents. The high-schooler was a perfect mensch, as she led her elders through the prayers; then helped them fill up their plates.