Featured Volunteer: Max Medvedeff
Max Medvedeff, a recent graduate of Lake Mary High School, is a JPSS volunteer at Grand Living Park at Lake Mary.
Most high-school seniors stay busy studying and planning for life after graduation. Despite a demanding schedule of Advanced Placement classes, Max Medvedeff made time to help his community by volunteering with Jewish Pavilion Senior Services (JPSS).
Max graduated from Lake Mary High School in May and will be attending the University of Florida this fall to study biomedical engineering.
He learned about the JPSS volunteer opportunity through his mother, Michelle, after she met Nancy Ludin, the nonprofit’s CEO and executive director. This past academic year, Max and Michelle have visited residents at Grand Living Park at Lake Mary for the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover, as well as for Thanksgiving. The teen helped put together gift bags for the residents that included cards and treats, such as hamantaschen for Purim.
Max enjoys spending time with the residents of the senior living community, hearing their stories, and getting to know them better.
“They have a lot to say to the youth that they don’t get to share that often,” says Max, whose family attends Congregation Ohev Shalom. “They don’t get that many visitors and people to talk to. It’s really nice to hear what they have to say. These people want to talk to kids and share.”
Max appreciated having Nancy’s help with organizing some of the holiday visits, but he has also enjoyed having creative license to make the events his own. Jewish Pavilion Senior Services and the communities it partners with welcome volunteers of all ages, and Max encourages everyone to get involved.
“Most people don’t want to get out of their comfort zone and do it,” he says. “Even though the Jewish populations aren’t huge at all the communities, they would gladly have students or youth groups come visit. They all do holiday programming.”
Volunteers can also help at one of the many Shabbat services at the communities JPSS serves. To learn more about the opportunities available, visit JewishPavilion.org/volunteer or call 407-678-9363.