A group of hockey players from Airdrie’s U16 AA team transformed an ordinary Thanksgiving into an extraordinary experience for residents at the senior independent living centre at Cedarwood Station. The heartwarming visit from 15 of the young men came spontaneously after it became known that the building’s elevator had malfunctioned a few days prior.
Sarah Barton, a hockey mom, had been chatting with another parent, Janaya Stevenson, who works at Cedarwood Station, on Sunday during the team's hockey game when the topic came up.
"We were chatting about how the elevator was out of order at the hockey game. It was terrible timing, especially with Thanksgiving approaching," Barton said, "There's a lot of the elderly people who can't go up and down the stairs, including my grandma."
On Monday, the young athletes arrived at Cedarwood to help deliver over 85 meals.
"Some residents were brought to tears; lots of the older ladies giving the boys hugs, and [there were] lots of conversations. A couple of boys were invited into one of the residences, and they were talking for about half an hour," Barton added.
Bianca Bedford, General Manager at Cedarwood Station, said that while residents had celebrated Thanksgiving on the prior Friday, some had been unable to do so.
"Our population here really loves the connection with youth. So it was pretty fantastic after having been alone for Thanksgiving, to have these friendly faces at the door and this young team - is so incredible," Bedford said. "It warmed the [residents'] spirits to see those young faces at the door and to know that there are young people in our community who care so much and are willing to volunteer their time, especially on a holiday."
Barton noted that because of the event's spontaneity, the impact was all the more emotional.
"Many of these seniors don't get a lot of social interaction. A lot of the kids have a grandparent, and some don't; those connections and conversations they have can, the seniors will remember this forever because it was just so impactful," she added. "It shows you that the teenagers are trying to do good things within the community."
It was also a moment when some athletes visited their great-grandparents, which Barton says means everything comes full circle.
Bedford said that while the perception may be that sometimes the old and young do not have much in common, nothing could be further from the truth.
"These young people really ignite a great energy in our residents.”
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