Fifth Graders Bring St. Paddy's Day Celebration to Seniors at Wartburg

St. Patrick’s Day came a week early to the Wartburg Adult Care Community when Colonial’s fifth graders decorated holiday-themed cupcakes with residents.

For the past 10 years, Colonial Elementary School students have participated in service projects at the grounds at Wartburg in Mount Vernon. They typically visit three times a year and partake in a crafts projects that give residents a chance to improve their dexterity. On March 10, the fifth grade class paired up with seniors to decorate batches of cupcakes with everything from green frosting to sprinkles.

“The kids were all up to their eyeballs in green icing,” remarked Linda Grassia, director of marketing. “They couldn’t wait to eat the cupcakes.”

But in addition to getting a sugar high, both the seniors and the kids took home more lasting rewards.

“Intergenerational programs are really important,” Grassia noted. “Many [of the seniors] don’t live in their home. They don’t go to stores, and they’re not seeing young people anymore. The children learn about patience, and how to collaborate with someone of a different generation.”

When students visit, they usually have the chance to interact with those who live at the facility full time and those who just spend their days at the center while recovering from an injury or illness. Organizers tend to choose a hands-on activity for residents and students to do because it’s both a good way to bond, and an opportunity for seniors to stretch muscles they don’t get to use often.

“It’s good practice for them,” Grassia said. “It helps with fine motor skills.”

Bringing the young and old together is very much a part of Wartburg’s history. The facility started out as an orphanage in 1866 and began caring for seniors in 1891.

“It was an intergenerational campus until the late 70s when we graduated the last group of orphans,” Grassia said. “It does go back to our roots.”