In The News - Bringing two generations together
By BRETT BUTTERSTEIN, Bigfork Eagle
"Oh, I love it when they come," said Lake View Care Center resident Grace Furh, when she noticed the students were coming to the center today.According to Activities Director Tammy Sciaretta, 15 students from Bigfork Elementary School in fifth grade, and some of their second grade pals, come to LVCC every other Wednesday and Thursday to visit with the residents. She said they often bring the seniors gifts or a drawing they did at school.
Shelly Emslie's fifth grade class from Swan River School also pay the seniors a visit once a month.
"I've been coming here before I was in school because my mom used to work here - so I know a lot of the people," says Swan River School fifth grader Felicia Schraeder. "I like to see the people. It's fun to hear about some of the things they've done."
Emslie said that the Swan River School students have been coming to visit the seniors for the past two years now.
"They're really understanding," Emslie said. She said the students each visit the same resident every time they come. It's a mutually beneficial relationship.
"It's just neat to see just how these kids have grown over the two years," she said. "They're all really comfortable with the experience now."
Emslie said this relationship between the students and the seniors is a valuable lesson and that the kids just have a lot of fun with it.
During a recent social event at the center, the group of Swan River School kids assisted residents in wheelchairs and chatted in small groups around the room. Two female students didn't want to break away from a conversation when it was time to leave.
They sat mesmerized, listening to a resident tell story after story.