NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Students made an assembly line on Monday in the cafeteria at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School near Shamokin. They packed socks, lotion, snacks, and prayer quilts into goodie bags.
The school's service club is participating in an Adopt a Grandparent program.
"I love doing this kind of stuff. I've been in service club now for three years. Every time I come to this, I think of it like a blessing. I love being here. The community is wonderful," sophomore Bradley Staner said.
Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School teamed up with a local Mary Kay Cosmetics group for the program. This is the ninth year of the partnership.
"Word of mouth, customers, we put it on Facebook. 'I would like to donate, I would like to do that, I would like to give,'" Jacqueline Kerris said.
More than 500 people from five different senior living communities will receive gift bags.
"The residents are so happy. We go in, greet them, give them the packages, and say Merry Christmas. It really is a very nice event," Anne Marie Kramer said.
The students are happy to help and learn about giving back.
"I feel better with myself knowing that I'm trying to make an impact for the people who don't really have anything," sophomore Stella Bressi said.
"Some of these residents are so lonely. They need visitors, and they light up when they see them coming. It's just wonderful to see the joy on the residents' faces, thanks to the kids," Kerris said.
The students will deliver the gift bags to the seniors later this week.