GREENVILLE, Illinois — In the small town of Greenville, Illinois, a group of extraordinary high school students with special needs is making a big impact at the Bond County Senior Center. These dedicated volunteers are not only serving meals to the elderly but also bringing smiles, laughter, and a sense of connection to the lives of the seniors they interact with.
"It's very meaningful to us. We run on volunteers," says Melissa Marti, the Executive Director of the Bond County Senior Center. The volunteer students from nearby Greenville High School pour their hearts into every task, whether it's preparing meals or ensuring spotless floors.
One of the committed volunteers is 19-year-old Nathan Heckman, who finds joy in the simple acts of service and the connections he makes with the seniors.
"I like the people here. I think they're very friendly here," Nathan shares. "I like talking to people. I like working really hard. I like hands-on activities."
What makes Nathan and his fellow student volunteers exceptional is that they all have special needs. However, it's their unique abilities and perspectives that make their contributions to the senior center so valuable. "Nathan's a happy go lucky kid. He's always joking around with them and I think that gives them, you know, a sense of, of youngness, you know, makes 'em feel younger," Marti adds.
The students' teacher, Karen Clark, has witnessed a transformation firsthand.
"The relationships that they make out into the community, the social skills they're developing and just the confidence they're gaining is awesome," she said.
17-year-old Caiden Hardis, another volunteer, seems to have found a sense of purpose through his work at the senior center.
"Makes me feel proud and happy," Caiden said.
The impact of the student's effort is perhaps most profound during lunchtime when volunteer Toby McClain, who has autism, fills the room with familiar melodies on the piano, creating a poignant scene of connection and caring.
"Oh they have big hearts," Marti said. "We're a small community and so we don't have a lot of people that were are willing to do these things."
In a town that welcomes visitors with arms wide open, these students show that the power of compassion can bridge generations and abilities. "What they're doing matters. They are making a difference in our community," Clark said.
At the Bond County Senior Center, they're blending key ingredients: kindness, purpose, and understanding. As Clark puts it, "It's wonderful to watch."
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