Today after school, twelve 6th grade volunteers walked north on 5th to 105th to spend their early evening with residents of Terence Cardinal Cooke's 6th floor. After introducing themselves, the boys organized a game of BINGO with the residents, calling the numbers and helping the residents participate and enjoy their shared time together.
For many of the boys it was a new experience and one that took a few minutes to adjust to. As time unfolded, though, they began to settle in. An air of comfort filled the common room within minutes and the typical sounds associated with BINGO began to be heard -- laughter, a little ribbing, the "ahhs" and of course, the occasional "BINGO!"
Toward the end of our time, one of the elderly residents pulled me aside and exclaimed in hushed tones, "I hate BINGO, but I just love looking at the boys. They are so nice!"
In the first shot above, two boys call, and below, a long shot of the main table can be seen.
For many of the boys it was a new experience and one that took a few minutes to adjust to. As time unfolded, though, they began to settle in. An air of comfort filled the common room within minutes and the typical sounds associated with BINGO began to be heard -- laughter, a little ribbing, the "ahhs" and of course, the occasional "BINGO!"
Toward the end of our time, one of the elderly residents pulled me aside and exclaimed in hushed tones, "I hate BINGO, but I just love looking at the boys. They are so nice!"
In the first shot above, two boys call, and below, a long shot of the main table can be seen.
"Boni viri" indeed. Well done. It's comforting to think that my grandson will be able to help me in my later years.
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