Put your hands to good use

It was a day out on the golf course with a friend about five years ago that first sparked Murray Shostak’s interest in becoming a woodshop volunteer at the Cummings Centre. “It is a great way for me to give back to my community. I am able to provide some of my time to help other people. It is one of the best things I could do in the city.”

Being Handy comes in Handy

He had always been “handy,” doing his own gardening and building the basement in his old house. However, a move into a condominium limited his ability to work with his hands in his own home. Murray credits the Cummings Centre in allowing him to continue to make use of his skillset. “It is a great avenue for people my age to put our life experience to good use.”

A Tight-Knit Woodshop Group

Murray has built 150 computer stands for the Bloom Family Tech Lounge and countless menorahs that are sold in the Centre’s boutique. Murray appreciates the camaraderie between the woodshop volunteers, a space he considers a second home. “We help each other and build upon our ideas over coffee. It is always a focus on helping the woodshop move forward.”

The Cummings Centre’s mission is to empower and enhance the quality of life of adults age 50 and over by providing dynamic and innovative programs, social services, and volunteer opportunities in a vibrant, respectful, inclusive and compassionate environment. Building on its Jewish heritage, Cummings embraces people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

As the hub of Montreal’s 50+ community, the Centre touches the lives of 10,000 people on an annual basis. In addition to its main campus at 5700 Westbury Avenue in Montreal, programs are offered at several off-site locations including the West Island, Cote Saint-Luc, St.Laurent, Westmount, Chomedey and Florida.

For more information, please contact us by phone at 514-343-3510, online at www.cummingscentre.org or in person at 5700 Westbury Avenue.