Students, seniors get together

West Freehold School second-grader Olivia Santiago (l-r), second-grader Jonathan Chiu, senior center volunteer Linda Kowalski and second-grader Evan Prendergast share some fun during the children’s visit to the Freehold Township Senior Center. FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — West Freehold School second-graders enjoyed a visit with seniors at the Freehold Township Senior Center, Jackson Mills Road, on Oct. 26. The children were provided with pumpkins to paint, coloring projects and treats.

Senior volunteers read stories and one senior, “Magic Bill” Lambertson, performed a magic show. Arlene Golub, director of the senior center, organized the festivities as a way for the students and seniors to meet and work together.

“The students come in and perform for us every year around the holidays, and this was a way of giving back,” Golub said. “I feel very strongly that children and seniors should interact and the seniors love to work with the kids.”

Linda Kowalski and Gwen Drogaris were two of nine volunteers working with the students. Both said they had been looking forward to the event and that it was a wonderful opportunity for the seniors and the children.

“It offers a way for the children to become comfortable in different social situations,” Drogaris said.

Second-grade teacher Kim Bradus agreed.

“It is a nice opportunity for the students to interact and spend time with someone other than their peers,” Bradus said.

Other senior volunteers present were Nina Cipriani, Antoinette Federici, Isabell Washington, Lee Kelleher, Mary Mervine and Ernestine Ricelli. Senior center staff members Kathy Cea, Julie Marshall and John Gant were also on hand to help.

According to a press release from the school district, activities such as this offer an opportunity for the schools to enhance their partnership with the community.

West Freehold School Principal Janet Creech was grateful to Golub and the seniors for reaching out to the schools.

“It was a wonderful experience for the children,” she said.