Although we have been spared of snow in Cincinnati this week, there were snowflakes aplenty at Cedar Village on Monday afternoon! Led by our Chesed Corps of resident volunteers, we completed our snowflake project for the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. We are all very familiar with the tragedy that occurred at that school in December. The children have been relocated to a formerly closed school in neighboring Monroe, Connecticut and the PTA had decided to welcome the children by filling the school with paper snowflakes. When our folks learned of this project, they immediately embraced it and we had a snowflake event on Mitzvah Day and finished it on Monday. Each snowflake was hand crafted, each is, of course, different and each had a pink heart in the center with a handwritten message. Some of the messages I saw included "Stay Strong" and "Our prayers are with you" and there were many more. In all, there were more than 700 snowflakes created here that have already been delivered to the PTA in Connecticut.

The snowflake project was really a great opportunity for staff, residents and community members to come together and create something meaningful. The events in Newtown have had an impact on all of us and this was a way in which we all felt that we could do something tangible to show support, share our feelings and reach out to these children, teachers, family and community who are the survivors.

Wednesday evening was also a special event at Cedar Village as we honored our Resident of the Month for January. These events are so meaningful as we hear life stories, we learn about individual's accomplishments and challenges, and they share their values and words of wisdom. Each month we are inspired and educated by those folks who call Cedar Village home and this week's program was no exception. We do Resident of the Month on the first Wednesday evening of most months (sometimes we adjust for holidays and other events) at 6 p.m. It is only a half hour program but we can promise you it is a half hour well spent. Feel free to join us!

The Eight over Eighty deadline is fast approaching so get your nominations in today! If you know someone over the age of 80 who has been, and continues to be, a dedicated volunteer and role model in our Cincinnati Jewish community, please send in a nomination. Eight over Eighty is always a wonderful evening and a fabulous celebration of remarkable people-hope you will take part!

All the best,  

 carol@cedarvillage.org
www.cedarvillage.org