Citadel Cadets Spread Joy Among Lowcountry Seniors
In a heartwarming initiative in Charleston, South Carolina, cadets from the Citadel are bringing a wave of joy and companionship to the seniors at Kempton Senior Living Community. Not only are they earning service hours, but these visits have also ignited strong bonds between the seniors and the cadets, immensely benefiting both parties.
Creating Bonds and Shared Experiences
The cadets regularly visit Kempton, knocking on residents’ doors to spend time playing games, engaging in conversations, or even going for leisurely walks. Among the residents, 81-year-old Ben Moise, an alumni of Citadel from 1961, echoes the sentiments of others in expressing how valuable these visits are to them. He perceives these afternoons of visitation as delightful alternatives to solitude, providing him a chance to reminisce about his time at the Citadel.
The Impact on the Seniors
Employees at Kempton have observed notable positive changes in the residents post the visits by cadets. Executive Director Lindsay French has noted that seeing younger people and having someone visiting especially for them instills a sense of significance among the residents. Following the isolation experienced during the pandemic, initiatives to promote social engagement have become crucial in senior care. Lisa McLeod, the Sales Director at Kempton, added how the residents love sharing life experiences with the cadets while also learning about the students’ reasons for choosing the Citadel. For residents without family in the area, these instances of interaction and companionship provided by the cadets are invaluable.
The Cadets’ Experience
However, the joy is not unilateral. Cadets from Citadel, like Kanyia Purefoy and Zoey Ellison, who started volunteering at Kempton this semester, share their enriching experiences with the residents. They find it heartwarming to give back to the community, engage in conversations with the seniors, and provide an environment where the residents feel important.
Purefoy and Ellison, majoring in biology and nursing, respectively, initially began volunteering for gaining experience relevant to their future careers. But their connection with the residents has exceeded their expectations, becoming more intimate and rewarding than they had imagined.
Beneficial Partnership
This mutually beneficial partnership emerged from Citadel’s mission to reinforce community service as a significant aspect of student development. Initiatives like these not only help in fostering social responsibility but also encourage personal growth among students. Hence, such activities are seen to extend far beyond merely accruing volunteer hours.
Finally, while Moise appreciates the surprise nature of the visits and wishes for their continuity, Citadel also plans to uphold this deed. The initiative has profoundly affected both communities, promising potential for long-lasting relationships and reciprocal benefits between the cadets and the community residents.
