Monday, the Senior Center of South Pearl River County hosted a group of special visitors, the Little Devils preschoolers.
The students are a part of the early childhood education program at Pearl River Central High School’s Career and Technical Education Center, Career and Technical Education Director Kelli Beech said.
The students are between the ages of 3 and 4-years-old.
“This is their first visit to the center,” Beech said. “They were very excited to come make a craft with the seniors. This is a great community partnership.”
Senior Center Executive Director Darlene Adams said that the event is part of the center’s new intergenerational program.
“These activities are designed to interact our seniors with children and students,” Adams said. “It’s a good event for our seniors that do not have family close by. We have already had fourth graders help with bingo.”
Ruby Manning said she loved working with the children on their projects, which was a Valentine’s Day craft consisting of a stained glass heart made of tissue paper.
“I think it’s wonderful for the children to get out and experience different things,” Manning said. “I’m so glad I got to work with them. I feel like I’m helping someone.”
Three-year-old Johnathan Burleson said he had fun making a heart. He said his favorite part of the activity was gluing.
Joy Purvis taught third grade and kindergarten for 30 years at Roseland Park Elementary.
“Today brought back a lot of memories,” Purvis said. “I would like to see them come out more often and visit.”
Five-year-old Emme McCoy said she plans to give her Valentine to someone.
“I had fun today,” McCoy said. “This is my first time here, I’ve never seen it before, but I like it here.”
Catherine Baker worked with preschool children for about 30 years.
“It’s been a long time since I worked with children,” Baker said. “I love working with them and hope the center hosts more activities like this.”
Five-year-old Jonah Dillard said the heart was a good project.
“Ms. Edna helped us today and I liked it,” Dillard said. “I want to come here again and play with four-wheelers.”
Beech said she is always looking for community partnerships. Two of the next programs the career and technical students will host at the senior center are health and science, and horticulture.
“The students will perform blood pressure checks and relay gardening tips,” Beech said. “The seniors can also teach our students valuable skills, so it benefits everybody.”
Adams said the next program involves Pearl River Central High School’s personal leadership class, who will serve at the center’s volunteer luncheon.
“We are very interested in hosting more programs,” Adams said. “If anyone has a school or homeschool program and they are interested, please contact us.”
The senior center is located at 45 El Patch Parkway and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact center staff at 601-798-9892 and through email at da.thecenter@gmail.com.
Learn more about upcoming events by visiting the center’s website at www.srcentersouthprc.org and through Facebook at The Senior Center of South Pearl River County.