Pasco: Children serenade seniors

Children serenade seniors

Delivering gifts and songs, elementary-aged children add joy to the holiday season for residents of a nursing facility.

By MICHELE MILLER, Times Staff Writer

NEW PORT RICHEY -- George Paris is more likely to wear jeans and a T-shirt when he attends the YMCA before- and after-school care program.

But Monday, the 5-year-old was looking rather dapper, wearing a new white dress shirt, necktie and black slacks. Oh, and there was the Santa hat, thrown in for good measure, for the boy who was on a festive mission with about 20 other elementary-aged youngsters in the YMCA program at Jasmine Civic Association.

The kids were there to sing carols to the residents at the Orchard Ridge Rehabilitation Center. On the itinerary for the young carolers were Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, Rudolph and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Students also doled out small, plush stuffed animals and homemade Christmas cards.

The youngsters had practiced for about a month, said Tammy Rockett, the child care coordinator for the YMCA before- and after-school program. Rockett, whose young charges also sponsored a holiday food drive for the needy, said she hopes to expand the program with Pasco seniors in some way.

"I'd really like to get an 'Adopt-a-Grandparent thing going," Rockett said.

Having the kids come out is a definite boon for seniors, said Roxanne O'Connor, the assistant activities director at Orchard Ridge. About 17 groups have stopped by during the holiday season to spread a little cheer, she said.

"We're grateful for that, as well as the volunteers that come year-round," O'Connor said.

"This is great," said 80-year-old Margaret Gray, who had stopped by Orchard Ridge to visit her friend Violet Petrosky. "It's good for them to see the old folks," Gray said of the children. "It makes them more compassionate."

"This is wonderful," said Nettie Stewart, 94, who handed out candy canes to the kids and took definite notice of little George Paris in his formal get-up. "I just love it. I just love it when the kids come here."

Nicholas Rost, 7, also said he enjoyed the brief time spent at Orchard Ridge.

"It's fun and it's kind of exciting because we get to sing in front of people who enjoy it," Nicholas said.