Volunteering at United Hebrew Geriatric Center Brings Generations Together: Ida and Rachel Pascocello's Dedication Helps Keep UHGC Green

Seven years ago, Ida Pascocello, today a lively 93 year old, was dismayed by what she saw when she looked out the ninth floor window of her new home at the United Hebrew Geriatric Center – a neglected courtyard garden. She recently had moved from Florida and was accustomed to enjoying the sight of lush plantings rather than scrappy weeds. Ida Pascocello wasted no time. On that very first day, she volunteered to bring the Center’s garden back to life.

New Rochelle, NY (PRWEB) May 24, 2006 -- Seven years ago, Ida Pascocello, today a lively 93 year old, was dismayed by what she saw when she looked out the ninth floor window of her new home at the United Hebrew Geriatric Center – a neglected courtyard garden. She recently had moved from Florida and was accustomed to enjoying the sight of lush plantings rather than scrappy weeds. Ida Pascocello wasted no time. On that very first day, she volunteered to bring the Center’s garden back to life.

"I got to work right away, dedicating a couple of days each week to the garden," says Ms. Pascocello. "About a year after I started, my granddaughter Rachel asked if she could help out so that we could spend more time together doing something that we both love. She is 14 years old now and still comes about once a month to help with the watering." One of the other residents, Elsa Rosensweig, also waters the plants.

Ms. Pascocello’s green thumb is apparent in the proliferation of plants in the garden. Many were propagated by splitting existing plants into two and cultivating each half. "Every spring, we have a plant sale and donate the money to the nursing home," says Pascocello. "The feedback about the sale and about the garden has been terrific."

Rachel has grown into a dedicated volunteer, serving coffee and working in the Center’s café when she is not out in the garden. "It is fun to see the smiles on the residents’ faces. The residents’ grandchildren don’t come to visit very often so I have a chance to brighten their day."

About United Hebrew Geriatric Center:

UHGC is a vibrant not-for-profit, non-sectarian, multi- service senior living campus serving the Westchester metropolitan area since 1919. UHGC offers a rich array of skilled and community-based programs and services that encourage and support a life of dignity and spirituality as well as promote the highest possible quality of life. UHGC serves over 600 clients daily in its campus facilities -- Willow Towers, an 126- unit assisted living residence; a 270-bed Nursing Home; the 135-unit Low-Savin Apartments for seniors; a Long Term Home Health Care Program; and the Azor Home Health Agency. In 2007, UHGC will open a new, state-of-the-art 300-bed facility.

Website: http://www. unitedhebrewgeriatric.org/

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