Schools
Students Sing Holiday Songs to Seniors
Ivy Hall first-grade students visited Alden Long Grove Rehabilitation and Health Care Center to bring smiles to the residents this holiday season.
Nearly two dozen first-grade students from brought some holiday cheer to senior residents at Alden Long Grove Rehabilitation and Health Care Center on Friday.
The children sang several songs including the school's spirit song and a joyful "Jingle Bells." They then handed out homemade holiday cards and pictures to the many wheelchair-bound residents in the audience.
"I think the children are adorable," said Alden resident Marilyn Rzepka.
Alden Long Grove reached out to last year to start an inter-generational program with children in the community. The students first visited Alden when they were kindergartners at .
"The residents really love seeing the children. Their faces light up," said Victoria Wolpoff, Alden's vice president of marketing and public relations. "Some don't have many visitors."
Many of the students' parents said their children get a lot out of the program too by interacting and building relationships with the older generation.
Elizabeth Hicks said this opportunity was a great lesson for her first-grade son, Jason. "I'm trying to teach him that Christmas is about bringing joy to other people." she said. "[The residents] don't see a lot of kids and this brings happiness to their lives."
Parent Lisa Katz said the program was such a success last year they wanted to carry on the tradition.
"It's so nice for the seniors and it's nice for the children to make the connection. They bring joy to each other," she said.
"It makes me feel happy inside," said Alden resident Carolee Moore. "I'd like them to visit more."
The children will return for a Valentine's Day program and at least two more times during the year.
