By Kendra Raymond
Even though Age Friendly Raymond has only been up and running for six months, that hasn’t stopped volunteers from bridging the gap between seniors and youth in Raymond. What started as a small gesture of kindness has grown into something much bigger.
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| Fourth grade Raymond Elementary School students Ben LeBel, Nnatalie Hebert, and Jack O'Brion play games with their 'Grammy for a Day' at Jordan Bay Place in Raymond as part of an initiative organized by Age Friendly Raymond. PHOTO BY SUSAN BRACKETT |
The excitement was palpable, and before long, other RES students got involved.
“The fourth graders became pen pals for some residents and a couple other Raymond seniors for the last several months of school,” said Tarr.
Susan Brackett is a fourth-grade teacher at Raymond Elementary School and explained how the events unfolded.
“My student teacher Morgan Burkholder started the project,” Brackett said. “She needed to do a project involving the school and the community. Deb Tarr contacted the school about looking for a classroom to partner up with and when Morgan and I saw the email, we knew that it would be a great fit. Morgan introduced the program to the classroom and worked on the activities until her placement was over around the end of April. I picked up where she left off.”
Brackett says that the pen pal project was a great enriching experience.
“The kids learned what it meant to have a pen pal. They each were matched with a senior. Some of the seniors wrote two to four letters each time so that every student got a letter,” said Brackett. “The kids learned about what it was like growing up during the seniors' lives, what school was like for them, and a little bit about their family and likes and dislikes. The students also learned how to properly write a letter back and forth to someone.”
The pen pal experience ended up having some unexpected benefits as students got pretty attached to their “pal” as the school year progressed.
“As soon as the kids got their first letter, they were all really excited. Every single kid participated in the pen pal letters,” said Brackett. “They were all sad at the end of last year, when I told them that this would be the last letter that they would receive.”
Later in the school year, Age Friendly Raymond assisted a few residents with a visit to the school where the seniors had an opportunity to get to know some of their pen pals.
“This was enjoyed by both groups,” Tarr said. “The fourth-grade teacher wants to continue this connection this coming school year.”
Brackett said that the seniors and students played some games, and the kids were very excited to share some of their school projects, which was a really sweet moment.
“About one fourth of the class also attended Bingo at Jordan Bay Place,” she said. “The students got to call out numbers and serve the seniors drinks and snacks.”
Current fifth grader Ben LeBel participated in the program last year and was excited to share his thoughts about the experience.
"I really enjoyed getting to know different people from our community,” he said. “During Bingo they were actually kind of competitive. And of course I loved the treats we shared."
Student Amelia Wildes also recalls the event fondly.
“I loved bingo night, it was fun calling the numbers and visiting the older people”, she said.
Aside from the community outreach with local schoolchildren, AFR remains active keeping seniors involved.
“Before Memorial Day, we assisted the American Legion in placing flags at veteran’s graves. This is something we plan to continue in the future,” said Tarr.
She explained that community service is just part of the support provided by AFR.
“I have transported some seniors to doctor appointments and have also picked up medical equipment at the medical loan closet,” she said.
Tarr is excited about the popularity of the garden at Jordan Bay Place. She said that volunteers have logged over 100 hours getting things up and running there as well as lending a hand with residents in the garden.
“Avesta helped supply us with a few needed items to bring new life to this project. We have numerous residents involved in planting and harvesting flowers and vegetables,” she said. “Extra vegetables go onto a table in the community room.”
Residents can also sign up for a weekly technology help session hosted by University of Southern Maine senior and Raymond resident Elizabeth Petersen. She lends a hand with cell phones, computers, iPads, and televisions.
“Elizabeth has already donated 18 hours of her time to the residents, and they’re so appreciative of her assistance,” said Tarr.
Looking forward, Tarr said that more support is in the works.
“We are also organizing some presentations from SMAA on the increase of income allowed to receive help with more Medicare assistance, a talk with the Raymond Fire Department, and possibly a presentation by the Red Cross,” said Tarr. “We are trying to widen these support services to other Raymond seniors, are able to find them.”
Brackett says that she’s thrilled to continue the senior-student pen pal project once again this year.
“The students and the seniors seemed to both really enjoy their time together and the letters back and forth. We have decided to partner up again with my new class and continue to grow on what we started last year,” she said.
If you are interested in the Age Friendly Raymond programs or would like to volunteer, send an email to Agefriendlyraymond@yahoo.com <
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