Tomahawk students play bingo, trade gifts with older pen pals

By Annie McCallum

May 30, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Tomahawk Elementary School student Zach Brame only had a few seconds to talk Thursday afternoon.

The third-grader was busy helping out his pen pal in a game of bingo.

Brame was one of about 100 Tomahawk students who have been trading letters with senior citizens throughout the year with help from the Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging.

Thursday, participating senior citizens came to Tomahawk for a reunion. In the school's gym, students played bingo with pen pals they hadn't seen since December, exchanged handmade gifts and munched on cookies.

"I think they get a lot out of it," said third-grade teacher Caren Bowling, who helped organize the project. "It opens them up to more compassion for seniors."

Zach, who wanted to hurry back to assist his pen pal, Grace, said she has trouble hearing. He needed to make sure she knew what numbers were being called.

Zach took a few moments to say he's found a friend in his pen pal. He explained he's written about everything from swim practice to baseball, and in return he's learned about Grace's grandchildren and hobbies.

"She loves birds," he said excitedly, later adding when a letter arrives from her he always feels happy.

"She usually tells me about something she's done lately," he said.

Their relationship is exactly what Bowling and her mother, Brenda Lipscomb, CVAAA director of administration and finance, had in mind when they started the project several years ago.

Looking around the crowded gym, Bowling said the project leaves an impression on youngsters and seniors.

"They really do share a tremendous bond," she said.

The effort started five years ago with only students from Bowling's class and now encompasses Tomahawk's entire third grade.

With so many students, things got a little noisy Thursday, especially when teachers passed out the student-made gifts to seniors. Students created coasters made from a ceramic tile and decorated with their fingerprints.

Principal Donna Brown gazed at the energized students sitting side by side with their older counterparts. Each year she said she struggles to hold back tears.

"So many children don't have grandparents that live nearby," she said, adding these "grandparents" might be the only ones students have an opportunity to spend time with.

"It tugs at your heart."

Newstex ID: KRTB-0116-25641669