They say that age is just a number, and while this week's Everyday Hero has more numbers than most, she still looks for more time in her day to help others.
Barbara Mandigo has always loved to sew. She cuts, she stiches, and with the help of her friends at the Lakeview Terrace Retirement Community in Altoona, she creates.
"There's about 22 pieces in each bear," said Mandigo. "It takes about two hours to cut them all out, sew them up, and stuff them."
The bears are for kids with serious illnesses at Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis.
"We started the bear project back in 2006," said Mandigo. "Since then, we've made over 5,000 bears for them!"
By the way, did we mention this bear-making lady turns 101 this month? What about retirement? Mandigo said that wasn't for her. "Well, I didn't want that," Mandigo said. "I like to keep busy."
Keeping busy is Mandigo's mantra. Every morning at 5:00am, she gets up to walk around the complex, and while she's out for her walk, she stops at each house to pick up the paper. She takes it to the front door so her neighbors don't have to walk out too far to get it.
As far as the bears go, Mandigo has it all down to a science. The materials for the bears come from old coats and shirts, and Mandigo tries to envision who might be getting that finished product.
"With each bear, I wonder who this is going for," said Mandigo. "A little girl or a little boy is going to get this, and we try to make darker ones for the boys and lighter, pretty ones for the girls."
Does Mandigo think volunteering is some sort of "Fountain of Youth?" "The days aren't long enough," said Mandigo, chuckling. "The days aren't long enough to do all the things I want to do."
In addition to the bears, Barbara and her friends make quilts and afghans for the kids at Camp Boggy Creek when they are able to do so.