Throwing a party

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

On Saturday we members of the Maine Beta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa threw a Valentine's Party for the residents of a local assisted-living center.

We've been doing this for several years, and it's always one of our favorite activities.

We members bring to the party two or three small, wrapped gifts: luxury soaps, nail polish, candy, notepads, postage stamps, fancy socks, etc.

We also bring refreshments: punch, ice cream with strawberry topping, cookies.

Two of our members always volunteer to have their students make Valentine's cards and placemats, which our guests get to keep. The Valentines this year were gaily decorated with lots of glitter. I heard one member ask the teacher who brought them in, "How did your first graders manage to use the glitter so well?"

"I added the glitter myself after the kids went home," I heard the teacher reply.

We play rousing games of Bingo with the residents. Each resident is "allowed" to win twice, thus receiving two gifts. If a third or fourth win should happen, that resident gets a warm hug. Many hugs are given.

We have so much fun bringing laughter and small gifts to these lovely people. This year we had so many gifts that each resident received a third gift at the end of the party.

 The residents always thank us warmly for coming to their residence and throwing a party for them.

It's a simple gesture, but it means a lot to our guests...and to us.