VIDEO: St. Bernadette Catholic Academy Confirmation Project Serves Senior Community
DYKER HEIGHTS — Twenty-one eighth graders from St. Bernadette Catholic Academy spent the afternoon with seniors at the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center. Students and residents at the Dyker Heights facility worked side by side, decorating fall wreaths and learning about each other.
“I love it. I love dealing with them,” said resident Nancy Calasso. “I have nieces and nephews that are about that age, so it fills in the gaps.”
“I feel like this can really help make someone’s day. These people are really nice. It’s fun interacting with them. I just feel like it’s a nice way to give back to the community,” said eighth grader Christopher Trochalides.
The students and seniors may meet again. Teacher, Lisa Papio, said the school will continue to focus on service to seniors throughout the school year.
“The elderly are lonely and the children would make them happy,” she said. “Seeing them working with them, some people have no one and I wanted them to see what’s out there and be able to be compassionate for people.”