Huntington High School Grandfriends club members visited Sunrise Assisted Living in Huntington for an afternoon with residents there. The eight teenagers participating in the project sat for a Halloween tea, played bingo and held twin costume contests, including one that saw students judge the seniors and a second one that had the Sunrise residents judging their student guests.
The students were “lovely and thoughtful,” said Grandfriends co-faculty advisor Suzi Biagi. Club President Renee McKean, who came dressed as Jake from State Farm, captured the student award. A Sunrise resident dressed as a “wicked witch” took the senior award.
Grandfriends club members had fun on the visit to Sunrise Assisted Living.
“The trip to sunrise was so much fun,” Ms. McKean said. “You can really tell how much our visits brighten the resident’s day and it makes me grateful to be a part of that. It was also really fun to see all of the seniors dressed in costume. They really enjoyed it. We played bingo and gave goodie bags to the winners, which they loved and had a costume contest. It’s always fun to talk with all of the seniors individually and get to know them. I’m really excited to go back during the holidays to sing some carols!”
The faculty advisors were just as enthusiastic about the trip as the kids. “It was really awesome,” said Lauren Blackburn, Grandfriends’ co-faculty advisor. “The kids were all dressed up and spent some time with the senior residents there. We gave out trick or treat candy bags and played Halloween bingo. Many of the residents were Huntington alumni so they were really happy to talk to the students.”
Several plans have been developed for the rest of the school year, including a new pen-pal activity between the Sunrise residents and Grandfriends club members. “We are so proud of our kids,” Ms. Biagi said. “They were gracious and attentive with all of the residents and truly enjoyed getting to know their new friends.”