
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 Frank McBrearity
Frank McBrearity is pursuing a degree in MGA (Master’s of Grandparent Administration) and spreading joy one fist bump at a time. I believe I...
Ella Leving • Mar 13, 2025
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Open Doors
Patrick Ryan
Embracing Life and Connections: The Story of a Global Adventurer in Princeton Meet Patrick Ryan, a spirited Princetonian whose adventurous spirit and love for life...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Jan 15, 2025
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Open Doors
Rosetta Bruce
Rosetta Bruce: Embracing community and connection “I’m Rosetta Bruce. For many years, I’ve been involved with the Center for Modern Aging Princeton. Hosting lunches and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Dec 19, 2024
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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
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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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GrandPals
GrandPal Frank McBrearity
Frank McBrearity is pursuing a degree in MGA (Master’s of Grandparent Administration) and spreading joy one fist bump at a time. I believe I...
Ella Leving • Mar 13, 2025
-
Open Doors
Patrick Ryan
Embracing Life and Connections: The Story of a Global Adventurer in Princeton Meet Patrick Ryan, a spirited Princetonian whose adventurous spirit and love for life...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Jan 15, 2025
-
Open Doors
Rosetta Bruce
Rosetta Bruce: Embracing community and connection “I’m Rosetta Bruce. For many years, I’ve been involved with the Center for Modern Aging Princeton. Hosting lunches and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Dec 19, 2024
-
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
-
GrandPals
GrandPal Frank McBrearity
Frank McBrearity is pursuing a degree in MGA (Master’s of Grandparent Administration) and spreading joy one fist bump at a time. I believe I...
Ella Leving • Mar 13, 2025
-
Open Doors
Patrick Ryan
Embracing Life and Connections: The Story of a Global Adventurer in Princeton Meet Patrick Ryan, a spirited Princetonian whose adventurous spirit and love for life...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Jan 15, 2025
-
Open Doors
Rosetta Bruce
Rosetta Bruce: Embracing community and connection “I’m Rosetta Bruce. For many years, I’ve been involved with the Center for Modern Aging Princeton. Hosting lunches and...
Ana Carolina González-Peña • Dec 19, 2024