Good deed of the week 6/7/09

An intergenerational education program for seventh-graders at Jackson Middle School that puts them in contact with residents of the care facility Jackson Manor has given the students and residents a chance to become friends, while learning about each other's life experiences.

Students in the program, called S.H.A.R.E. (Students Helping, Aiding, Reaching the Elderly), visit Jackson Manor throughout the school year with a goal of educating students about the aging process and creating opportunities for residents to have social interactions. Since the program's start 12 years ago, over 80 Jackson students have participated.

The students held a banana split party for residents in May, with help from the program's coordinator and teacher, Stephanie Martin. The students' middle school principal Rodney Pensel said students become participants by signing up for an exploratory service course.