» First Person Account

By Lori BODNAR, intern

There are still many ways to help the community during a pandemic. We can all stay connected to one another by using technology, as well as employing simple measures such as mailing a letter or making a phone call. The Girl Scouts is an organization that encourages service, leadership and community involvement. I have been working toward earning my Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouts, which recognizes those making a difference in our community. Given the social distancing requirements necessitated by the pandemic, many residents in retirement and assisted living facilities have a heightened sense of isolation. I decided that for my Girl Scout Gold Award project I would encourage and support the seniors in retirement homes and assisted living facilities during this time. As part of my project, I have been sending encouraging letters with care packages to them. The care packages contained activity workbooks such as crosswords, word searches, sudoku, and zen coloring books with colored pencils, as well as copies of the CV Weekly newspaper. The care packages and letters were sent to seniors in Brookdale Alhambra, Foothill Retirement and Twelve Oaks retirement homes.

With the help of my musically-talented friends, I also organized a virtual music concert for the residents at Foothill Retirement. Twelfth-grade Crescenta Valley High School student Kimmie Blood and her college-aged sister Annie Blood played the piano and sang to perform the song “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. CVHS 12th grader Andrew Kim performed “Donna Lee” by Charlie Parker on his saxophone. Another CVHS 12th grader, Julianna Cheney, sang “On my Own” from Les Misérables. Dana Ryan, another CVHS 12th grader, sang “New York, New York.”  They also performed additional music pieces.

The senior citizens appeared to love the live virtual music concert and enjoyed talking with the performers. One of the senior residents was from New York and enjoyed hearing the famous “New York, New York.” Others discussed what musical instruments they played as well, such as the piano.

I am grateful for my friends who performed the concert for the seniors at Foothill Retirement. I was glad to see the bright smiles of the residents there during the performance and enjoyed talking with them about music. Most of the performers shared what they liked best about music, and why they chose to sing or play a particular song or instrument. Many remarked how uplifting music can be and how it can bring people together, even during this pandemic time when everyone needs to remain apart to keep people safe and healthy.

I also had the privilege of working with the exuberant Julie Kay Stallcup, one of the owners of Revolution Dance Center in Montrose, to coordinate a virtual dance performance for the residents at Foothill Retirement. The RDC dancers were Cassidy Prunty, Scarlett Owen, Zeta Stallcup, Axel Paulk, Sophia Luu, Lexi Pang, Ava Miler, Ruby Miller, Ayla La Fond, Ella Walters, Tatiana Hernandez, Sofia Joo, Samantha Panossian, Leah Panossian, London Jaramilla and Sophia Mixon. My little sister, Suzanna Bodnar, also performed a solo ribbon dance. The dancers performed individually in costumes and treated the audience to a range of different dance styles including lyrical, musical theater, jazz, contemporary and ballet. The dancers did a fantastic job and the seniors in retirement homes enjoyed the live virtual dance performance.

I strive every day to make a positive difference in the community. For the holidays, consider sending an encouraging letter to retirement homes, front line workers, or friends and neighbors to support others and the community during this trying time.

  Lori BODNAR