January 25, 2013 (Canandaigua, NY) ─ Once a month, the halls of Horizons are filled with the pitter patter of little feet and the sound of children’s laughter. Good Shepherd Lutheran’s Little Lambs Preschool students have been visiting the Canandaigua-based DePaul Senior Living Community since 2002.

Pictured here, Little Lambs preschoolers Kyle Foley and Emileigh Zagata work on a snowman craft project with seniors at Horizons.

From September through May the preschoolers and seniors enjoy intergenerational fun in the form of trick-or-treating, a holiday play, an Easter egg hunt, and an ice cream social along with the help of lead teacher and school founder Roxann Mueller. Other activities have included craft projects such as handprint turkeys and leaves, Valentine’s and Mother’s Day cards, balloon volleyball, sing-a-longs, and a visit by a horse and alpaca farm.

Activities Director Curt Sanger said the Little Lambs preschoolers are like surrogate grandchildren to the residents at Horizons.

“The smiles, hugs and kisses are truly amazing to behold,” he said.

The intergenerational activities also help the young children get used to being around elderly, wheel chairs and walkers.

“They get used to the atmosphere so when it comes time to visit someone in a nursing home or hospital, they are comfortable,” Sanger added.

For more information about Horizons, please contact Administrator Melissa Brien (585) 396-3390 or visit us on Facebook.