Grandfriends Bring Good Tidings to Carillon Residents
The Huntington High School Grandfriends club visited Carillon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center residents to spread good tidings, spending the afternoon singing carols and engaging in stimulating conversation.
The teenagers put their vocal cords to good use, spreading a type of spirit that only Huntington students can provide. Their enthusiasm and good cheer was welcomed by Carillon residents, who didn’t want the group to leave.
The Grandfriends have built sturdy relationships with local senior citizen organizations and facilities. Huntington teacher Suzi Biagi, who serves as the club’s co-advisor along with retired librarian Camille DeCanio, said initiatives such the recent holiday caroling help develop “intergenerational relationships” and the experiences are “changing the lives of both the young and old.”
“They sang their hearts out with a series of holiday songs,” said Mrs. Biagi about the Huntington teenagers. “The residents gleefully joined the fun and sang along with their happy visitors.”
Senior Janelle Fore was touched by the reaction the students generated. “It was nice to see the senior citizens singing along as we led them through the assorted carols,” she said.
The Grandfriends have an annual tradition of going caroling each year. Plans are being developed to return to Carillon in January and February to help residents eradicate their winter “blues” and spend some time with the teenagers.
The Grandfriends host social events and perform various related community-oriented activities. They visit nursing homes and assisted living residences. The visits include a variety of activities such as board games, including bingo, baking, craft-making, charades, reading books and magazines, letter writing and just talking, listening and laughing.
Grandfriends club members created Thanksgiving baskets this past fall and raffled them off free of charge at the Huntington Senior Citizens Center. The group has performed good deeds all around town over the years.
The Grandfriends will culminate their year in May when the club hosts its annual senior-senior prom. A crowd of about 200 senior citizens is expected to attend and enjoy a hot meal, dancing and an afternoon of fun. Details about the prom and how to RSVP for it will be released soon.