Games and crafts were the order of the day Jan. 26 when a group of MacAfee Road School 4th Graders visited residents at Spring Hills Somerset assisted living facility. The 30 students, their teacher – Alyson Samarel – an some aides brought floor hockey, bowling and other games, as well as some craft projects, to the residents for about two hours in the morning. "I wanted to do something to give back to the community, and since we're phys ed, I figured why not" Samarel said. Samarel said she contacted Susan Porecca, the center's recreation director, about the idea in October, and they set the January date. "I think it's great," Porecca said. "My residents are happy and active, and the students just get them up and going. It's what they needed." Resident Margaurite Booucher said she enjoyed the visit. "It's certainly fun, especially for the kids, I imagine," she said. "They're doing things they don't do at school." MacAfee Road student Jayla Asante said that it was "really good that we get to see the senior citizens and make them happy. Both Samarel and Porecca said they would like to see the visit made an annual event. "I would love for it to be a yearly thing," Samarel said.
The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
