Next up in our Pop-Up Series @ Manny Cantor Center, we celebrate Veteran’s Day tomorrow 11/11 with our Weinberg Center for Balanced Living. Members of the Weinberg Center Singing Group will perform in the MCC lobby from 8:30AM-9:30AM in honor of the day, including veteran Gene Eng, a devoted member of and volunteer for our older adults community. This month, the NORC/Weinberg monthly newsletter profiled Gene. Learn his story below and come celebrate his service (and hear him sing!) tomorrow morning.
Even though Gene Eng has lived in the Lower East Side almost all his life, he had never visited the Educational Alliance until the re-opening of the Manny Cantor Center in 2014. One day, he was asked to help out at lunch, and ever since then, Gene has volunteered with the breakfast and lunch program, logging over 350 hours just this year.
“I love to help out,” Gene said. “I want to show others how important it is to help. After all, I may need help some day!”
In addition to helping at breakfast and lunch, Gene takes advantage of the many exercise classes at the Weinberg Center. “I come to the Center to exercise and keep my mind sharp.” He is also a member of the Singing Group, and participates in most of the special activities and trips. “If I am not helping in the lunch room, it’s because I’m on a bus trip,” he laughs.
PFC Eng served in the Army from 1964-66, and after discharge, he married his sweetheart, Lolita, moved into Gouvernuer Gardens, and then worked in the Post Office for 38 years. He has three children and seven grandchildren. He and Lolita recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. “I have a good life, a very happy life,” Gene says with a smile.
Veteran’s Day Celebration Pop-Up @ Manny Cantor Center | Friday |11/11 | 8:30-9:30AM. Enjoy a performance from The Weinberg Center Singing Group and buy tickets for the annual Weinberg Center Holiday Fair & Craft Sale Raffle. Prizes listed on tickets (1 Ticket/$1; 6 Tickets/$5).
