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Grade School Grandpals
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This Sunday is Mother’s Day – a day that can jam the phone lines as sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters contact those special women in their lives. In one small Nebraska town, grandmothers and grandfathers are remembered often by children to whom they may not be related, but share a special bond. Kim Riemland reports. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Osceola, Nebraska)
“This is pepperoni pizza and this is a three-meat pizza.”
Every other Monday, Jane Roberts of Nebraska fixes a snack for her
Sunday school students from Osceola United Methodist Church.
“Hi Lindsay”
She lures these fourth, fifth and sixth graders from their busy lives …
“Hi Eric, how was your golf game? Good.”
…for a lesson they can only learn by doing.
Jane Roberts/Osceola First United Methodist Church: “I’m trying to teach
them that we need to give in some fashion. These children are growing up
in a very materialistic society where so many things are all about ‘me,’
so I’m trying to teach them about giving back, and that the rewards are
forever.”
Once the snack is consumed, they’re out the door.
“We’re going to Good Sams, Good Samaritan!”
Good Samaritan Care Center has become a familiar place for the kids, and
its residents have become familiar friends.
“Hi”
The kids spend time with the residents….
“My turn?”
…playing games. And on nice days, they head out for long walks together
in the sun.
Care Center Resident: “Oh, these kids are just great. They’ve come up
here every other week and we play cards and we laugh and talk.”
This “Grandpals” ministry started about five years ago, with plans for
visits throughout one school year –
but the kids asked to keep it going, year after year.
Care Center Resident: “She’s doing fine; I’ll bet she’ll be tired
though, when she’s done.” (Student) “Not really.”
They never do seem to get tired of these visits with their Grandpals,
which makes their Sunday school teacher know the lessons she teaches on
the weekends really hit home on Monday afternoons.
Jane Roberts/Osceola First United Methodist Church: “I know that you
can’t give away more than you get back. I know that, and I want the kids
to start to understand that.”
TAG:
The Sunday school students also do service projects for their Grandpals.
They plan to plant a flower and vegetable garden at the Care Center,
too.
For more information on the Grandpals ministry, contact Osceola First
United Methodist Church at 402-747-2671.
Also, see:
Children share time, conversation with 'grandpals'