July 26, 2013 (Wallace, NC) ─ Two area teens are dedicating their summer vacation to helping others. Alexandria and Audrianna “Nikki” Newkirk of Teachey are volunteering at Dayspring of Wallace, a DePaul Senior Living community in Wallace. Activities Director Lisa Rich said the girls visit the seniors at Dayspring three times a week.

They provide manicures for residents, lead group exercises or just pay them a visit. Nikki and Alex are pictured here leading a cooking class.

“The look on the residents’ faces after we have had a good day of laughter with them, that’s what I come here for,” said Alexandria Newkirk, 17. “I have fun here.”

Despite being generations apart, Alexandria, who plans to attend school for bakery or fine dining at the Culinary Institute in Charlotte, said the residents can relate to her and her sister.

“It’s like they understand more about what we understand,” she said. “They can help us cope with what we are going through and we help them cope with what they are going through.”

Nikki, 15, is going to be a sophomore at Wallace-Rosehill High School. Her favorite activity to volunteer to help with is bingo.

“I’m learning that most people like to have something to look forward to or something to do,” she said. “I’m learning more about being more caring rather than being selfish.”

The girls’ mother Carolyn Newkirk, the dietary manager at Dayspring of Wallace, said Alexandria and Nikki have grown attached to the residents and the residents call them their “babies.”

“They’re learning responsibility younger through volunteering,” she said. “This opportunity helps them understand the qualifications and responsibilities they’ll need in order to succeed.”

For more information about Dayspring of Wallace, please contact Administrator Matthew Harkness at (910) 285-9050 or visit us on Facebook.