Fairview Schoolchildren Bring Smiles to Seniors

It's hard to know who had more fun when Fairview School's K-Kids Club visited the Job Haines Care Facility in Bloomfield last Friday -- the children or the senior residents. According to Fairview Principal Salvatore J. DeSimone, everyone had a great time.

“I am so proud of our children!" said DeSimone.  "They jumped in as if they were grandchildren visiting a grandparent.  They embraced the elderly residents and made them smile.  Kids can do that easily.”

Much to the residents' delight, the thirty-two fifth and sixth graders sang songs, played the piano, delivered Christmas Cards, read poetry and played games with the home's residents. 

Program supervisor supervisor Michele Crincoli said the K-Kids Club performs regular community service activities each school year.  Upcoming projects for the K-Kids Club, an elementary school division of Kiwanis, are a coat drive, food collection for local shelters and “visiting people who can use some cheer,” DeSimone. 

"We introduce our boys and girls to community service through a variety of school year long activities and we hope as they get older that they will join the Key Club in Bloomfield High School," explained Crincoli.  “What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment these young people came back to school with!  To see the smiles on our students' faces and the residents' faces was truly a sight for sore eyes.  I was so proud of these 33 boys and girls.  We hope to plan another trip sometime in the spring, to another senior citizens' residence."