UPMC Senior Residents Make Valentine’s Surprise for Students
By: Amy Charley
Residents of Lighthouse Pointe, a UPMC Senior Living Community, gave students at St. John the Baptist Catholic School an early Valentine’s Day present this week. The group worked together to paint an elaborate winter-themed banner for the young students that says, “God Loves You and So Do We!” Seven Lighthouse Pointe residents came to the school Tuesday afternoon to help hang the banner in the school’s entrance where the students were able to enjoy it in time for Valentine’s Day.
This is not the first time the two groups have celebrated the holidays together. Lighthouse Pointe hosted Trick-or-Treating in October where residents waited outside their doors for the children in costume and the students performed a Christmas Pageant in December at Lighthouse Pointe.Theresa Szmed, principal of St. John the Baptist, says that the friendship between the school and the senior living community teaches children the importance of community service.
“We teach all of our students about outreach and service and what it can do for the community,” explained Ms. Szmed. “It makes our students feel good and it can help make others feel good.”
As a thank you for the painted banner, students surprised residents with handmade Valentine’s Day cards that are now hanging in the hallways of Lighthouse Pointe.
