FPL employees join Paradise Pointe residents Louis “Louie” Opera and Walter Baumann, along with Paradise Pointe staff, for a group photo during the community’s FPL appreciation visit. Courtesy photo
Paradise Pointe residents Louis “Louie” Opera, 98, and Walter Baumann, 87, join FPL employees for lunch during the appreciation visit. Courtesy photo
Paradise Pointe resident Louis “Louie” Opera, 98, decorates a thank-you card for FPL employees. Courtesy photo
Paradise Pointe residents and staff work together to create handwritten thank-you cards for FPL linemen. Courtesy photo
Paradise Pointe residents and staff work together to create handwritten thank-you cards for FPL linemen. Courtesy photo
Paradise Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care recently visited Florida Power and Light to express appreciation to its linemen and utility crews.
According to a press release, Paradise Pointe staff members and some residents spent time with FPL employees to recognize the long hours, difficult conditions and personal sacrifices that come with restoring power during Florida’s storm season. The team brought them lunch, cozies, gift cards and handwritten cards created by their residents and staff. They also played a question-and-answer game, giving employees the opportunity to win gift cards while talking about topics related to senior care, storm preparedness and caring for others.
"We wanted to come before the chaos of storm season really gets crazy to say thank you,” Paradise Pointe CEO Darlinda Copeland said. "Once a storm hits, everyone is focused on getting through it and getting our communities back up and running. We wanted to come now, while we have the opportunity, to shake their hands and let them know how much we appreciate the work they do for all of us.”
Joining Paradise Pointe staff for the visit were two of their residents who are familiar with the work FPL does.
Louis "Louie" Opera, 98, spent 65 years as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in New York. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Opera worked as an electrician.
Walter Baumann, 87, also spent 65 years in his career as an electrician and was a member of the IBEW in New York after serving in the U.S. Marines.
“Every person has a story,” Copeland said. “Our residents have spent their lives serving, working, raising families and contributing to their communities. Louie and Walter know what it means to do this work, and today they had the opportunity to recognize the people carrying that tradition forward.”
Showing appreciation for FPL brings a personal tie for Copeland as well. Originally from Miami, Copeland moved to Bunnell in the 1990s when her former husband, who worked for FPL, was transferred to the area. She moved with her children, Meagan Arrington and Trevor Copeland.
Trevor continues to work for FPL today. Meagan works alongside Copeland at Paradise Pointe, and Meagan's husband, Zane Arrington, also works at the FPL facility visited by the Paradise Pointe team.
