Acteens and World Changers from First Baptist Church, Iva, reached across the generation gap to assist senior adults in their community as they participated in the national “Make a Difference Day” on Oct. 28.
Lauren Dodgens, left, Acteen leader from First Baptist Church, Iva, and Acteen Caroline Davis, far right, guide Willow Creek Living Care residents on a trip through the Iva museum on “Make a Difference Day.”“Make a Difference Day,” promoted by USA Weekend magazine, a Sunday supplement in many daily newspapers, is a national day of helping others. It takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. Since 2005, 3 million people have volunteered in hundreds of towns and accomplished thousands of projects.
The teens from Iva First Baptist served as tour escorts for senior adults from a nearby nursing facility as they visited the town’s museum. The young people assisted the visitors – many of them wheelchair-bound – as they viewed displays. They also served refreshments.
Yvonne McGee, a member of Iva First Baptist and a volunteer civic leader in Iva, helped coordinate the event. She said the young people and senior adults enjoyed exchanging stories about how things have changed over time.
Acteens Stephanie Powell, left, and Jessica Brewster were among the young women from First Baptist Church, Iva, who took part in the national “Make a Difference Day” Oct. 28. The teens escorted senior adults as they toured the town’s museum.She said the Acteens will continue their relationships with their “adopted” senior adults in the coming months by remembering them on birthdays and holidays and by accompanying them at “Write from the Front,” a display that will feature photos and letters from American military members serving in Iraq and other parts of the world.
“This mentoring program has been successful to both generations,” McGee said.