GrandPals

GrandPal Lois Gerstein

Ella Leving • April 08, 2025

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 early childhood education. After relocating to New Jersey, she transitioned to legal work, earning a paralegal certificate from NYU and spending twenty years with the New Jersey State Attorney General’s office. She later assisted her husband in researching and writing a practical guide on education law. Since retiring in 2020, Lois has been actively involved in volunteer work, including reading to children, and was excited to join GrandPals after hearing about it from a friend.

“I was greeted with a home made Valentine from the little girl that I read to. It was very unexpected as it was not Valentines Day. It really warmed my heart. Last week she hugged my legs at the end of our reading time together. It’s the little things like this that make this experience so rewarding.”

  • 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

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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

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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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