Kutztown students delivered holiday cheer to Kutztown Manor on Friday, Dec. 20. Student Council crafted cards and Show Choir performed.
‘I think it’s really nice that they take time out for us old folks and gives us cards. They’re all so pretty,’ said Kutztown Manor resident Irene Kressley, 77.
‘There’s a lot of residents that don’t get anything for Christmas. We try to get them presents, but it’s nice for them to get cards. I think it’s great [that the students got involved,]’ said Margaret Jenckes, activity director at Kutztown Manor. ‘It’s nice for them to see that the younger generation thinks about them.’
Student Council organized a day of students at the high school crafting holiday cards for Kutztown Manor residents. Then, about a dozen Student Council members personally delivered the cards later that day, while residents awaited a performance by the Kutztown High School Show Choir.
‘There were a lot of tears within the performers and also the guests who we performed for today, which was really encouraging for me to see that there really, truly is a lot of Christmas spirit within our youth and also within our seniors at Kutztown Manor,’ said Show Choir Director Brian Hartman.
‘We hope to brighten their days,’ said Kimberly Brazina, choir member. ‘To be able to perform for everyone here is something that makes our day brighter, so all around, it’s happineess.’
The previous day, Kutztown Middle Schoolers also provided entertainment.
Student Council Adviser Suzanne Mixa, Mathematics Teacher, said the holiday card project, organized by Student Council, invited all students to make holiday cards for the 140 residents of the Manor.
‘Part of our goal as a Student Council is to build relations with our community so, for the Holiday Season, we decided to do something for our neighbors, the residents of the Kutztown Manor,’ said Mixa.
In addition, students created about 50 small packets that included a variety of greeting cards, such as birthday, thank you, thinking of you, as well as envelopes. These cards were given to Manor staff to be distributed to residents. Mixa explained that since many of the residents are unable to get out and purchase their own cards, they will be able to use these cards to send out on occasions throughout the year.
‘I hope it gets the students excited about the holiday, that they’re doing something for others, and that it helps to make the holidays brighter for the residents of the Manor,’ said Mixa.
Liking that the project involved so many students and faculty, Mixa said students were enthusiastic about creating the cards. She hopes they learned that they received joy out of this and that it is fun to do things for others.
‘I think it is really great that everyone worked together to make others happy and it makes us happy that we’re helping other people out,’ said Student Council member Olivia Guerra, 9th grade.
‘I think that everybody worked really hard on them and they turned out really good. It will make the elderly happy to know that they are cared about,’ said Sydney Fisher, Student Council member.
