Today we headed to Collingswood Manor, a retirement home in Collingswood, NJ. We started off the day by circling the building and parking lot looking for trash to pick up. At 10 we split up into groups. Some went to give a few of the residents manicures, while others played and called bingo. A few of the guys went to disinfect the doors and railings. The first three floors were independent living quarters. The fourth floor was assisted living, while the fifth floor was essentially a nursing home. We helped the bingo players back to their rooms and then took a break for lunch. At 1 we split up into groups to help set up the ice cream party and to help gather attendees. There was a great turn out for the party, and we all had a lot of fun talking to the residents.
Throughout the day, many of us got the chance to chat with the residents and have a few nice conversations. The people living at Collingswood Manor were certainly lively and had lots of energy. It was clear that having a group of young high school students walking throughout the building put a smile on many of the residents’ faces and brightened their day, but that went both ways!
Overall, we had a fun day at Collingswood Manor and enjoyed meeting the residents and helping out.