Connecting the ages with love

Published 7:50 am Monday, February 25, 2008

SHORELINE — With the precision and confidence of a seasoned project coordinator, Molly Quigley, 11, directs others to their specified groups and organized projects with ease. She is quick to get things started and keeps the efficiency level high throughout the group. And as one onlooker remarked, that’s not bad for a sixth grader.

Twice a month, Quigley and her sixth grade class walk the few blocks to SunBridge Care and Nursing Home in Richmond Beach armed with craft supplies they use to make collages, cards and other things with the residents of the home.

And though some of the residents suffer from ailments such as severe dementia, physical disabilities, hearing impairments and tremors, the staff at Sunbridge said Quigley and the other kids have created a gentle approach to involve everyone.

“The residents really look forward to it,” activity director for the home Sandi Filer said. “And the kids have managed to elicit responses from some of the lower-functioning people who normally wouldn’t give a response.”

Community relations director Elsa Alvarez agreed.

“They are very patient with them , asking questions and helping them cut or glue pieces for the project,” Alvarez said.

The idea for the project started with a challenge from her teacher at Syre Elementary school to think of a unique community service project that would have a lasting impact on both the student and others in the community. The avenue she chose for the project, Quigley said, stemmed from simple logistics.

“We are so close and it sounded like it was something that would be fun to do, so I though ‘why not?’” Quigley said. “And I didn’t want to do it alone and be selfish. I wanted to share the project with everyone in the class.”

Quigley’s teacher, Ike Atienza, said he is very proud of how the idea for the project has developed.

“After she came up with the idea and presented it to me, she took it to the principal. She wanted to do it every week, but time-wise we had to negotiate it down,” Atienza said. “This kind of thing, kids like (Quigley), doesn’t happen all the time. Having taught 36 years, you see a lot, but this is really special.”

That assertiveness, mixed with her outward passion for people, is what Quigley said fuels her drive for the project.

“I have a lot of fun planning and putting together the projects, but what I really like to see is happy faces,” Quigley said.

Resident Doris Fouch, 80, said that is exactly what Quigley’s project brings to the home.

“It’s one of the nicest things I’ve ever seen, and it’s just wonderful what can happen with an intergenerational idea like this,” Fouch said. “The kids are so full of life and ideas, and they bring a lot of joy.”