Our 2021 Boomer Impact Award winner, Hlavin is a product of the pandemic. The tablets and knowledge that he’s put into the hands of seniors have made a huge difference in their lives. They’re ordering groceries, video chatting with family and friends, downloading apps, streaming shows and managing passwords... all with the help of Hlavin’s nonprofit, Simply Virtual, and his three-member team.

While our grandchildren are immersed in a “gimme-gimme-gimme” culture, don’t underestimate their capacity to be kind and generous, especially during the holiday season. And don’t overlook the power of your example in helping them reach that potential.

The holidays lie before us and the wonderful sounds of the season are about to begin. Christmas music best communicates the holiday messages of peace, love and hope. Enjoy a holiday performance with your grandchildren. It can become a tradition that you all look forward to every year.

Figuratively speaking, most careers start from the ground up. Terry Pluto’s is an exception. His — literally — started from the ground up.The Northeast Ohio native and Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com (and former Akron Beacon Journal) sports and faith writer/columnist and author of more than 30 sports and faith books, says his writing career began soon after being flattened by a teammate during a football practice as a 110-lb. freshman at Cleveland’s Benedictine High School.

Smart phones, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots and tech gadgets can make life easier in many ways, but that's only true if you know how to use them to your advantage. Keep an open mind and allow technology to broaden your world.

Since its founding with two shelters in 1992, the foundation has branched out nationally to 57 shelters in 36 states. Through small grants, it has successfully placed more than 100,000 companion animals with senior adopters. For more information and a list of participating shelters, visit petsfortheelderly.org.