A group of
third-graders help Liberty Nursing Center residents watch their cards during a
round of holiday picture bingo. They were
born decades apart but for an hour Monday morning they were all the same age.
Third-graders
from Prospect and Woodland elementary schools visited Liberty Nursing Center on
Lexington Avenue, sharing holiday spirit with songs, handmade Christmas cards
and several rousing rounds of holiday picture bingo.
Residents
were delighted as the children joined them at several tables in the large
activity center.
“These students are members of the third-grade leadership teams at Prospect and Woodland. They were nominated by second- and third-grade teachers,” said Taryn Nall, who serves as guidance counselor at both schools.
“We are here to share and to understand the importance of kindness and being helpful to each other. I want the kids to understand the concept of giving and brightening someone else’s day.”
The visit
was weeks in the making. The students, joined by others at their schools,
worked to make colorful Christmas cards, handmade glitter bottles and bags of
candy. They rehearsed their songs with Douglas Lizak, music teacher at the two schools.
After their
songs Nall gathered the students briefly before sending them to join residents
at their tables.
“Tell them your names. Talk to them,” she said. The kids did exactly that.
Third-grade
paraprofessional Kathryn Wright and school security person Tiffeny Sims were on
hand to assist Nall as the third-graders excitedly helped residents watch their
cards during holiday picture bingo.
Pairs of third-graders took turns calling out the bingo pictures: “snowman with the blue hat,” “polar bear,” “red and green candy cane” and other cards until “Bingo!” echoed through the room. Prizes included a night light, gloves, a drawstring bag and plastic candy canes filled with Hershey Kisses.
Diana Johnson, the Liberty Nursing Center activity director, said the students’ visit was eagerly anticipated by residents.
“It means everything to them. It brings tears to my eyes,” said Johnson, who has been at Liberty for 30 years. “We need more of it, inter-generational activity. Just because you’re in your 80s or older, doesn’t mean you don’t stop thinking or don’t still have passions. Having the kids here today is wonderful.”
As goodbyes
were said and the children prepared to board their bus, Nall finished packing
up.
“The importance of kindness and the concept of giving,” she repeated. “That’s why we came.”