The good Cornellians can do: Judie Pink Gorra ’64

Judie Pink Gorra '64 has worked as an elementary school teacher, a school psychologist, and a licensed therapist. At the age of 83, Judie still conducts professional evaluations for children with learning challenges. She also fills her days with volunteer work, including serving food at Loaves and Fishes, planting and donating food at her town’s giving garden, and visiting neighbors as a volunteer with Good Company.

Knowing that many neighbors have physical limitations that prevent them from gathering socially, Judie and other Good Company volunteers visit these individuals in their homes to chat and share good cheer.

“Cornell instilled in me the desire to care for the neediest,” Judie says. “In my rather affluent community, as in all communities, we have lonely people. In fact, according to some studies, one third of any population is isolated and lonely.”

On her visits, Judie talks with her neighbors about their interests, helps them with their phones and other technology, and even plays table tennis with them—depending on the person’s preferences. She provides good company, which enriches her life and theirs.

“I’ve recently been visiting with a 96-year-old woman whose cognitive abilities are extraordinary, but who is confined to a wheelchair,” Judie says. “Although she was an inveterate reader, her eyesight is declining so reading is out despite having hundreds of books in her bookcase. We love to talk about books she has read, and I have learned so much from this woman.”

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.