United Local Students in grades five through eight visited elderly residents across Salem, Hanoverton, and local retirement and assisted living communities like Copeland Oaks in Sebring in 22 “family groups” Friday. Teacher Karesia Sisco’s group visited Cheryl Taus, who knows the value of giving back to one’s own community, having proudly served and helped plan community events in Salem for decades. The students brought Taus a custom gift basket and sang Christmas carols including “Jingle Bells” and “We Wish you a Merry Christmas.” Shown from left are Paisley Heacock, Paxton Kinder, Cheryl Taus, Andy Sanor, Hallie Cehrs, Kolson Boston, Tucker Coulter, Isaac Herold, Brooklynn Sullivan, Slade Hilton, Ryhann Ferro, Peyton Estok, Torie Young, and Jaxson Gruszecki. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — Students from the United Local School District visited elderly community members to spread holiday cheer Friday.

“We’re bringing Christmas cheer to people who are elderly; some are homebound, some are not and just need someone to visit with. But the middle school students really took this and ran with it,” said United Local Middle School Teacher Kristin Hepner.

Last year, the United Local School District started a new program, which sees students in grades five through eight spend part of their school-day visiting elderly community members to spread holiday cheer. That program, which program organizers including Hepner have begun calling a “day of giving,” continued Friday as students in 22 “family groups” visited residents in Salem, Hanoverton, and local retirement and assisted living communities like Copeland Oaks in Sebring.

“We started it last year and it went awesome, so we’re doing it again,” said Hepner.

Hepner said that the list of community members the students’ visit is compiled from United Local community members who would enjoy a visit from students, both past and present. She also said that each “family group,” which is comprised of a teacher and several students, visits one elderly resident or couple at their home.

“We focus on people who have been a part of our community even if they no longer live in the community. We go all over to bring the students to them,” said Hepner.

Hepner explained that how each “family group” spends their time with the resident they are visiting is tailored by the students to suit the resident, with some groups reading poems or stories, while others might sing Christmas carols or play musical instruments. She also said that students often collaborate to create handmade cards and gift baskets.

“I tell them about who they’re going to see, and the kids take over,” said Hepner.

This program does more than provide joy and community to

elderly residents. Hepner said that the program helps teach students to think and act empathetically, and to promote a sense of being a part of their community.

“It teaches the kids that you can do a lot of different things to make people smile. It’s very cool to see the kids gravitate towards this day and really see a different side of some kids,” said Hepner.

“It brought me great joy in my heart, and it helps the children learn to give of themselves to their community and how much it means to those they’re giving to. Especially for older people or those that are homebound, their visits bring them so much joy,” said Taus.

That sense of community continues after students return to school, as students are treated to pizza by Middle School Principal Franklin Baker and participate in communal activities together like watching a movie.