The Community Service Club will be visiting Westfield Senior Citizens Housing on May 26 for their Students to Seniors trip. The club will bring the WHS jazz band to perform for the residents and will also feature student artwork and photography, according to junior Joy Binder.
According to senior Emily Mack, the Community Service Club wants to reach out to the WSCH by showing them student art and talent. We socialize with the residents, bring snacks and make it a party; it’s something exciting for them,” said Mack.
Junior Nick Ertman is a guitarist for the Jazz Band and will be playing at WSCH. “Our main goal in playing for the retired residents is to entertain them… We’re bringing them one of WHS’s many incredible extracurricular programs to keep them in the loop with Westfield’s wide variety of talent. We’re showing them that they aren’t forgotten, but rather are valued members of our town’s community,” he said.
In the past year, the Students to Seniors program has dedicated their time to other local senior housing facilities as well. According to Mack, this includes throwing a Valentine’s Day party at Sunrise Assisted Living, donating student art to be put on display and making holiday cards for every resident at Sunrise.
Said Binder, “By bringing art and students to the homes, we can bridge the gap and give the seniors an afternoon of fun entertainment.”
Sophomore Jessie Murray also will be visiting WSCH with the Community Service Club. “No matter what age, the club wants to help make a difference. We visit the senior citizens because we wanted them to have a fun time by eating some treats, talking and listening to music,” she said.
Said Club Adviser Warren Hynes: “When we visited Sunrise Assisted Living… the club members walked around to talk with those seniors who attended the jazz band concert. Everyone was a little bit shy at first, but in time they warmed up and started talking.”
Said sophomore Lucas Bizzaro: “The club is about helping out in our community, and we feel the seniors aren’t being as involved in our society as they should be. So we look for what they might want or need; we go for entertainment.”
“This kind of trip is certainly a success, and it reminds me again of just how amazing our Community Service Club is. The students in this club continue to give, all year long,” said Hynes.