Temecula Students Bring Holiday Cheer, Gingerbread To Seniors

From Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club: The Chaparral High School Interact service club this year has been developing a close relationship with the senior residents at FountainGlen Senior Apartments in Temecula. It started earlier this year with a Valentine’s Day dance at FountainGlen, and the club plans to put on another Valentine party in 2020.

The next event was an October pumpkin carving party, and the Interact members helped the seniors to decorate many jack-o-lanterns, with pumpkins provided by Interact and its sponsoring organization, the Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club.

Most recently, on December 13th there was a Gingerbread House making party at FountainGlen, hosted by Chaparral Interact Club, Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club, California Scholars Federation, and Tri-M club.

Both events drew more than 40 Chaparral High School students to FountainGlen. There were 20-30 seniors residents participating. Students who helped with gingerbread house making, as well as serving cookies, chips, coffee and water, were from the Interact Club and the California Scholars Foundation, while members from the Tri-M Club provided the residents with singing and playing of musical instruments (keyboard, flute and violin) and dancing. The Interact Club’s advisor is Jean Weinfurter, member of Temecula Sunrise Rotary, who has helped Interact carry out many activities, not only at FountainGlen, but also benefitting the community of Temecula and its citizens, such as Old Town cleanup and food pantry collections.

Ms. Weinfurter commented, “The students were thoughtful and kind to these seniors, and the residents really enjoyed being with them. The noises from the chatting and laughing could be heard throughout. Some residents I ran into afterwards thanked me for organizing these events. And those high school students left with lighter feet and promised to be back for another event!!!

“A few residents were there around 12:45 when I got there. They helped me set up the tables and get things organized. I did not get to find out whether or not they have families or friends visiting them often there. But by the token that they were there so early, I could see that they really didn’t want to miss out to be with those youths. These are great events and I will do them for years to come!!”

Rotary member Jimmy Hsieh has also participated in the many Interact projects. Other Rotary members have helped in various ways. If anyone is interested in serving their community in this way, please call 951-698-6116 to see how you can get involved.

This press released was produced by Temecula Sunrise Rotary Club . The views are the author’s own.