Young and old together
CENTER TWP — They call themselves the Kids Club, but their projects sometimes focus on grown-ups.
Grown-ups were featured prominently last week when the youths shared a turkey dinner with residents of New Haven Court at Clearview in Center Township.
Complete with handmade turkey centerpieces, the children chatted with residents of the assisted-living facility while sharing an early Thanksgiving meal.
"People like this. It makes the world a much better place," said Bill Yost, whose 16-year-old daughter Alexandra heads up the Kids Club.
An outreach of the Faith United Presbyterian Church in Center Township, the club was formed in 1997 with the goal of helping youths with homework.
Youths in kindergarten through sixth grade are recruited from nearby neighborhoods via flyers and word- of-mouth with the idea Faith United can introduce positive activities to youths not affiliated with the church.
Weekly activities have come to include a Bible lesson and crafts, with a monthly visit to New Haven Court. During those visits, bingo is among the more popular activities.
"I like bingo because it's so fun," said 5-year-old Michael Garth, a kindergartener at Center Township Elementary School. "We get candy and crackers," he said.
"I just think the activities are fun — and I believe in God," added Cierrah Brown, 7, also of Center Township.
As well as the Thanksgiving dinner, activities last week included recited lists from attendees about things for which they are thankful:
"My brother and sister, God and the earth ... and my Mom and Dad," said third grader Quinton Broadie.
"This beautiful country," said Ada Capellari, a New Haven resident.
"My puppy, my dog, my three cats, me, my singing, my mouse, my gerbil," said Kayla Spatig, 8, who later offered an impromptu vocal performance of "Who Said," a song by Hannah Montana.
"To be asked here to this beautiful dinner," said Flora Sanzotti, adding family and friends to the list.
As well as regular bingo games, the group's activities at New Haven include gardening, crafts, theatrical performances and Christmas carols.
The children, usually numbering about 10, are bused to the program each week with a van and driver donated by Trinity Lutheran Church, also in Center Township.
Although she has volunteered with the program for a number of years, Alexandra Yost said she began coordinating Kids Club in October.
"Once a week I get to see these kids and see what they learned and how they're changing,"she said, noting many in the group are longtime members.
"I've known some of these kids since they first started out. It's kind of fun to see them the whole way through."
