Let’s celebrate Cummings’ own Hildy Silverman, one of the many great women who contribute so much to the Centre.

Hildy Silverman began her association with the Cummings Centre by accident. “They called me once and asked me to give a class for somebody who had gone to Florida,” she recalls. “I did and then they decided to give me my own class. I am here ever since and I love it.”

She has become a staple at the Centre ever since, teaching a Chair Aerobics class twice a week to eager seniors. Silverman appreciates the willpower of the participants in her class to show up despite their aches and pains and is inspired to make all their efforts worthwhile.

“It’s not so much about the exercise,” she said. “I think the most important thing is interacting with the people. I try to build up their confidence and get them to want to come here because they know they are going to have fun.”

Beyond fitness classes

Silverman has built a strong rapport with those in her class that extends beyond the gym. “I get very involved with my people,” she said, “I’ve had a couple of people over at my house for dinner, I pick them up and take them around… For Passover, I have even invited one of them over to my house.”

In addition to her work with the Wellness program, Hildy spends time with Holocaust survivors at Cummings and most recently, began volunteering at Le Café as a server twice a month. Giving back to a place that helped her through some trying times in her life is her commitment.

“I lost my husband to cancer a year and a half ago,” she said. “If I didn’t have this place, I could see myself going into such a slump. I know when I get up in the morning, I need to get dressed, go to work and put a smile on my face.”