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Oakdale students visit nursing home residents

The Tuscaloosa News - 12/12/2018

Dec. 12--From her bed at Park Manor Health and Rehabilitation on Tuesday, Christal Douglas could peek out the doorway to the hall.

She smiled while children from Oakdale Elementary School began singing "Jingle Bells" as they walked by the door, each child wearing Santa hats and reindeer antlers.

Douglas waved as the children walked by her door.

"That's so cute," said Douglas, who has lived at Park Manor for six years. "I have some grandbabies that are that same age."

For 18 years, students from Oakdale's student council have made the trip to Park Manor before Christmas to sing songs and give houseplants to the residents. In fact, some residents still have plants from previous visits.

"I'll come in and they'll say 'Look at my plant,'" said Judy Dunn, activity director at Park Manor.

The holiday tradition began from a personal place for Cynthia Smith, counselor at Oakdale who will be retiring at the end of the school year. Back in 2000, Smith had an aunt living at the nursing home and noticed something sad during one visit with her.

"I knew that there were a lot of patients here who never had anyone here to visit, never had any family," Smith said. "She just had me and a few others, but there were patients who had no one to come see them."

Smith decided that she wanted students to learn about service through visiting with the residents at Park Manor, taking time out of the school day to stop by, deliver plants and wish them a happy holiday. The 33 students who came out Tuesday ranged from 4 to 10 years old.

"It fits nicely with what I do as a counselor because we are trying to teach kids empathy, how to walk in other folks' shoes, and with empathy, then you get compassion, which is caring for people," she said. "This is what we try to teach."

Dunn said the residents look forward to seeing the children every year.

"They need things to look forward to. It just lifts their spirits in a place that cannot be too happy at times," she said.

Douglas enjoyed the visit.

"It's a very uplifting thing," she said.

Before the class left for the day, Smith and the students had a quick talk.

"Did you make someone happy today?" Smith asked.

"Yes," the students shouted in unison.

"Did you make yourself happy?"

"Yes."

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.

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