
GrandPals
GrandPal Caroline Purnell

Ella Leving • April 25, 2024
Caroline Purnell has been a GrandPal for the past two years. She is retired from teaching French, Spanish, and ESL for adults, and embodies a deep passion for travel and multiculturalism.
“The half of the biggest thrill for me is watching the kindergartners come into the library for the first time. They are new to kindergarten and now are facing a room full of grandparent-type adults who will be their readers for the year. The other half of my personal thrill is seeing how far the children have come at the end of the year. They are no longer shy and reticent, but engaged and excited to have bonded with their GrandPal. I should say there is another component to my thrill: Seeing my kindergartner, now in first grade, giving me a big hug in the hallway! To me, that’s going full circle, watching these unsure kindergartners develop confidence and reading skills while giving us GrandPals such joy and happiness.”
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GrandPals
GrandPal Bob Swierczek
Bob Swierczek, a United States Navy veteran, resides in Princeton, where he selflessly dedicates his time to various volunteer roles. He serves as a crossing...
Ella Leving • Mar 25, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Christine Piatek
Christine Piatek was a GrandPal at Littlebrook School before the pandemic and eagerly rejoined when the program returned in full swing. Before retiring, she worked...
Ella Leving • Mar 20, 2025
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Open Doors
Frances
Frances: A heart full of dance and joy in Princeton We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Frances at the Suzanne Patterson Building’s Nutrition Program, and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Mar 18, 2025
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Open Doors
Meet Intern Chris
Christopher Stanley – A Journey from Ministry to Social Work At CMAP, we are fortunate to have had Chris as an intern, bringing not only...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 29, 2025
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Open Doors
Meet Intern Sarah
Sarah Christensen, A Heart Full of Empathy and Service Q: Sarah, tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to pursue a...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 21, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Lois Gerstein
Meet Lois Gerstein, A former medical social worker with an MSW from NYU, she also ran a children’s bookstore, combining her passion for books and...
Ella Leving • Apr 08, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Caroline Purnell
Caroline Purnell has been a GrandPal for the past two years. She is retired from teaching French, Spanish, and ESL for adults, and embodies a...
Ella Leving • Apr 03, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Dave Olson
Meet Dave Olson, a recently retired Special Education teacher with a passion for supporting students of all abilities. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he began...
Ella Leving • Apr 01, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Deb Pillow
Deb Pillow, originally from Michigan and with a background in teaching and storytelling, found her perfect fit in GrandPals after moving to Princeton from Arizona...
Ella Leving • Mar 27, 2025
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GrandPals
GrandPal Bob Swierczek
Bob Swierczek, a United States Navy veteran, resides in Princeton, where he selflessly dedicates his time to various volunteer roles. He serves as a crossing...
Ella Leving • Mar 25, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Christine Piatek
Christine Piatek was a GrandPal at Littlebrook School before the pandemic and eagerly rejoined when the program returned in full swing. Before retiring, she worked...
Ella Leving • Mar 20, 2025
-
Open Doors
Frances
Frances: A heart full of dance and joy in Princeton We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Frances at the Suzanne Patterson Building’s Nutrition Program, and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Mar 18, 2025
-
Open Doors
Meet Intern Chris
Christopher Stanley – A Journey from Ministry to Social Work At CMAP, we are fortunate to have had Chris as an intern, bringing not only...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 29, 2025
-
Open Doors
Meet Intern Sarah
Sarah Christensen, A Heart Full of Empathy and Service Q: Sarah, tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to pursue a...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Apr 21, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Lois Gerstein
Meet Lois Gerstein, A former medical social worker with an MSW from NYU, she also ran a children’s bookstore, combining her passion for books and...
Ella Leving • Apr 08, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Caroline Purnell
Caroline Purnell has been a GrandPal for the past two years. She is retired from teaching French, Spanish, and ESL for adults, and embodies a...
Ella Leving • Apr 03, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Dave Olson
Meet Dave Olson, a recently retired Special Education teacher with a passion for supporting students of all abilities. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he began...
Ella Leving • Apr 01, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Deb Pillow
Deb Pillow, originally from Michigan and with a background in teaching and storytelling, found her perfect fit in GrandPals after moving to Princeton from Arizona...
Ella Leving • Mar 27, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Bob Swierczek
Bob Swierczek, a United States Navy veteran, resides in Princeton, where he selflessly dedicates his time to various volunteer roles. He serves as a crossing...
Ella Leving • Mar 25, 2025
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Christine Piatek
Christine Piatek was a GrandPal at Littlebrook School before the pandemic and eagerly rejoined when the program returned in full swing. Before retiring, she worked...
Ella Leving • Mar 20, 2025
-
Open Doors
Frances
Frances: A heart full of dance and joy in Princeton We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Frances at the Suzanne Patterson Building’s Nutrition Program, and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Mar 18, 2025