ALES Youth Give Back to Young At Heart at Sunrise Manor

It’s never too early to teach students how to give back. For Melissa Newby’s kindergarten students, giving back means helping those who already gave so much to LaRue County.

ALES kindergarteners have spent time at Sunrise Manor in Hodgenville. Over the holidays, the young students collected and wrapped personal items the residents needed. They also sang Christmas carols to residents as they handed out the gifts.

“We saw tears of joy from residents and the students were very loving and compassionate with the residents,” Newby said. “It warmed my heart as a teacher to see us make a meaningful connection with the community.”

This generosity is part of the LaRue County Profile of a Learner, a district-wide initiative aimed at helping students better prepare for life beyond graduation. For Newby’s kindergarteners, this means laying the foundations of giving back and becoming an engaged citizen. The programming also helps them understand empathy and how their actions have meaning in the lives of others.

“It helps the students to make a positive impact on our community by being service-minded,” Newby said.

Senior centers and nursing homes like Sunrise Manor benefit from volunteers of all ages. Volunteers can help provide support to residents that a resident’s family might not be able to give. It can also help resident staff provide more comprehensive care for seniors.

Newby also explained that the benefits were clear to students, even though they were young.

“This project helps provide some insight and experience to the students on possible career paths,” Newby said. “It also helps the students to recognize that their actions have an impact beyond themselves.”