GrandPals

GrandPal Laurel Lerner

Ella Leving • June 21, 2024

Meet Laurel Lerner, a passionate music enthusiast and dog lover. As a former singer turned piano teacher with a degree in music education, Laurel’s love for music runs deep. Laurel finds joy in both her human and furry companions, always with her Kindle in hand, ready to delve into a good book.

“One day I was reading a book and Chleo was staring at my face, almost two inches from me. I kept looking at her to see what she was staring at. She then asked, ‘Are you wearing lipstick?’ I say that I was. She then said, ‘It’s not allowed in school!’ Serafima said that lipstick is allowed for adults but not for children. I’m glad she cleared that up!!”

“Also, both girls are huggers. They greet me every week with a big hug, and when it’s time to go, I get more hugs. Those hugs carry me with joy all through the week!!”

  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE
  • 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

    READ MORE

BE THE FUEL

MAKE A DONATION TODAY

Your generosity is truly the fuel that empowers CMAP to change lives and to help older adults discover their “why!”

We invite you to donate to the 2023–2024 Annual Giving Campaign by June 30 to help us reach our goal.