Minister for Geriatric Affairs (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Orbach is building an army of volunteers, who will be wearing a purple garment to make themselves visible.

These volunteers will be found in shopping centers and other areas where many gather to offer assistance to senior citizens. The minister feels that while many senior citizens are living unassisted, they can use assistance shopping and with other chores and the purple volunteer army will be available to do its part.

The minister also plans to offer a subsidy for movies for senior citizens, permitting all senior citizens to view a movie for a nominal fee, 10 NIS.

The minister plans to encourage senior citizens to volunteer as escort drivers for the young drivers who must have an experienced driver at their side for a number of months after receiving a driver’s license.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)