DECEMBER 2021
The following articles are from December 2021
CARING NEIGHBORS’ CORNER
Readers of this column will have noticed the gradual transition of Caring Neighbors programs from in-person to virtual contact. For the past ten months, as we all struggle to adapt to the COVID crisis, Caring Neighbors has tried to find ways to bring our educational and health-promotional activities to residents despite the limitations on group gatherings. In the present column you will see additional movement in the direction of virtual programming. This may represent a trend that will become a more permanent feature of Caring Neighbors going forward. Residents are invited to explore current offerings and to take advantage of those of interest.
A NEW OFFICE MANAGER
Pat Chichester, the newly appointed office manager for Caring Neighbors, belongs to that distinguished and growing group of residents – “second generation PBL families”. Pat came to Leisureville in 2015, originally, to care for her widowed mother. Her parents had set down roots in our community twenty years earlier. As Pat settled in, she was quickly taken by the warmth and friendly reception of her neighbors. It gave her a feeling of belonging in our senior world. After her mother’s passing, Pat had more time to engage in social activities. She was amazed by the number and variety of social activities available in Leisureville. She set about joining multiple clubs; became a regular at R-3 Bingo. (“My mother introduced me to Bingo when I was 9 years old”). A self-described “caregiver”, Pat was naturally attracted to Caring Neighbors with its commitment to community service. She volunteered in the Caring Neighbors office, assisting residents in need of transportation to medical appointments.
She also served as an instructor in the Caring Neighbors “Tech for Seniors” program. Pat had a feeling for residents who were intimidated by the new technology. She remembered an earlier time when her son needed a computer for school. Although a newcomer to computers herself, she determined to train in their use. “Never too old to learn”, she took adult classes in the local middle school at night and honed her skills online. Before the COVID pandemic closed down group gatherings, Pat could be found on Thursday 
mornings in the R-1 clubhouse, tutoring neighbors who were struggling to master their “smart phones”. Over the past four years Pat’s service to the community epitomizes the Mission of our organization: neighbor helping neighbor.
At present, Pat anxiously awaits the signal that the community is ready to reopen the club houses. She recognizes that, after an extended period of inactivity due to the COVID crisis, it will take time and energy to re-engage volunteer drivers and to bring the Caring Neighbors office back into action. With typical determination, Pat has already begun to plan for that moment.
THIS IS HOW CHANGE HAPPENS, ONE GESTURE, ONE PERSON, ONE MOMENT AT A TIME
CARING NEIGHBORS’ NEW VICE-PRESIDENT
In 1987, Ed and Pam were visiting Leisureville. They liked what they saw. On passing a “home for sale” sign on SW 17th Ave, Ed copied down the number. A phone call and some friendly negotiations later, the DeFilippis had a deal on their Holiday home. With retirement and more leisure time, Ed’s connection with the community grew. An avid golfer, he has been Chairman of the Golf Committee and Secretary of the Men’s golf league. When not marinating in the R-3 hot tub (before COVID!), you would most likely find him on the greens.
Ed also stays young pitching for the men’s softball league in Boynton. Along the way he found time to serve as President of the PBLCA master association. He brought energy and vision to the betterment of Leisureville. As a board member Ed was an early figure in the launching of Caring Neighbors, the 501c3 educational non-profit serving the community. He is especially proud of the Caring Neighbors’ program of holiday meals and outreach to shut ins. Recently, when the COVID crisis first hit the community, some of our more vulnerable residents were reluctant to leave their homes. 
Ed joined with neighbors in preparing and delivering meals to seniors as they awaited registration for the Meals on Wheels program.
From today’s perspective, as he looks around at the pristine state of our Leisureville world and the way property values have increased since that first visit in 1987, Ed is sure he made the right decision. Caring Neighbors is also glad the DeFilippis decided on Leisureville and welcomes Ed as its newest Vice President.
IT’S NOT ABOUT IDEAS. IT’S ABOUT MAKING IDEAS HAPPEN.
Your not just a resident your an asset
Your Skills are of Value
If you would like to enhance the well being of our community share your skills and experience.
WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS. WE’D BE A NATION WITHOUT A SOUL
WELCOME BACK, LYNN
When the opportunity presented itself in 2012, she and her husband bought their own place and quickly joined in the social life of the community. A year later, when approached by a board member who described the need for someone with organizational skills to help launch the future Caring Neighbors project, Lynn volunteered her talents. She came as a seasoned “systems person”: computer literate, experienced in office operations and comfortable orienting volunteers – the very skills our fledgling organization was in need of. Lynn was singularly responsible for the smooth transition from We Care, our heritage predecessor, to the newly emerging Caring Neighbors, Inc.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OURSELVES ALONE DIES WITH US;
WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR OTHERS AND THE WORLD REMAINS AND IS IMMORTAL
JANUARY 2022
Check back soon as we will be adding more articles about the latest news on the people making a difference every day in our community.
