Inter-Generational Tea Redefines an Often Lonely Day for Hastings Seniors

Valentine's Day can be lonely for senior citizens, many of whom live alone and far away from their children and grandchildren.

Hastings Girl Scouts Community Director Angela Reeve had an idea to make the seniors' holiday a little bit sweeter: The girls would bake for them and all would come together in a multi-generational tea at the J

On Sunday, more than 40 seniors and at least that many Girl Scouts and Brownies attended the event—and there were enough baked goods to give a small army a sugar high for an entire week...or month.

"This is wonderful; I firmly believe in inter-generational activities," said Anne Schnibbe, head of Hastings' Senior Canteen. "Sundays can be rough and lonely days for seniors because there aren't other planned activities, and picking a Valentine's Day theme was a great idea."

Girl Scout leaders Maryann Fiebach and Chris McEntee co-chaired the tea and were thrilled with the turnout. 

"It's fun to do something nice for the seniors," said Hastings seventh-grader Andie Abrams, who joined the Girl Scouts this year to get community service and fundraising experience.

Her friend and classmate Liana Sasloff—who has been involved with Girl Scouts since she was in the first grade—agreed, "It's fun to take part in activities with the community," she said. "And it's good for the little kids to get the experience as well."

And quite an experience they had—

Armed with full trays of cupcakes, brownies, cookies and tea bags (adults carried the hot water), even the youngest Brownies went from table to table offering their homemade desserts.

"They're giving run for their money," said Josephine Downar.

Phyllis Richter added: "This is a welcome break after all the snow; now I cetainly won't have to cook dinner tonight!"

Schnibbe believes the reason so many  so many seniors were able to attend was that Anne Russak, Hastings' senior coordinator, arranged for the recreation department- sponsored "senior bus" to pick up attendees at their homes and drop them off after.

"There are a lot of activities for seniors during the week but few on weekends," Russak said. "I immediately thought this was a great idea."

Seniors went home with "care packages" filled with leftover goodies, and the Girl Scouts serenaded their guests as they left the community center.

"I was a troop leader many years ago when my daughter was a Girl Scout," Schnibbe said. "It is a great organization and this was a great activity; I hope they do it every year!"

Learn more about Hastings Seniors' Programs here.