FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Mowing lawns, painting fences and even moving an old jalopy -- those are a few ways Fort Riley Soldiers pitched in to help senior citizens in the area through the Intergenerational Clearinghouse And Resource Educational, or I.C.A.R.E., Center.
The mission of I.C.A.R.E. is to build positive relationships between youth and older adults. The Soldiers have been a tremendous asset to the program by helping seniors and disabled community members with projects and chores they couldn't otherwise do, said Vickie Bobbitt, executive director, I.C.A.R.E. Center.
"We feel that the military Soldiers are really giving back in intergenerational activity by helping the senior citizens," she said. "The senior citizens have such a need … (The Soldiers) are awesome. They start at 8 a.m. and work until they're finished."
While many of I.C.A.R.E.'s programs are geared toward connecting youth and seniors, the military involvement has added a new dimension, Bobbitt said. Many of the seniors are former military and enjoy sharing their experiences with a new generation of service members, she said.
"They really do appreciate the Soldiers coming and interacting with them and giving back to the community at the same time," she said, adding many of the elderly don't have family members who can help them. "They are very, very grateful. We had one lady, she just cried after the Soldiers did her yard."
Not only do the seniors appreciate the help, but the Soldiers also benefit, she added.
"It really built the morale of the Soldiers," she said. "It just let them know these are people, too. They have a life, and they enjoy being around young people … The interaction is really great."
Supplies are provided by the seniors and I.C.A.R.E. program. Manpower for anything from trimming trees to clearing trash is provided by the Soldiers.
Bobbitt recalled one senior who needed help moving an old car out of his driveway.
"The Soldiers thought it was really fun," she said with a laugh. "They actually pushed the guy's car. He was inside maneuvering it."
Major clean-up projects usually happen in the spring and summer, but Bobbitt said smaller tasks, like raking leaves, come up in the fall.
Projects have been coordinated between Bobbitt and Becky Willis, Army Volunteer Corps coordinator, Army Community Service.
"I could not do this without Becky Willis," Bobbitt said. "She puts a lot of time in."
Social Sharing