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Hernando Today

Students Bring Valentine's Cheer To Heron Pointe

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By LINNEA BROWN, Hernando Today

Published: February 14, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - In the dining area of Brooksville's Heron Pointe Health and Rehabilitation Facility, resident Israel Kacanek, 86, was the life of the party Wednesday.

After more than 60 years as a member of Rotary International, he was proud to see local high school students carrying on the tradition of community service, even if he was on the receiving end.

"It was a surprise," he said, smiling.

On Valentine's Day "eve," students from Brooksville's Nature Coast Technical High School's Interact Club - an offshoot of Rotary International - brought some holiday love to the 125 residents of Heron Pointe.

Armed with handmade baskets of candy, bouquets and balloons, the students spent the afternoon chatting and mingling with the residents, many of whom perked up for the visit.

Freshman Christina Armbruster, 14, made sure every resident received sunny Valentine's Day stickers on their lapels.

"I put some smiles on people's faces," she said. "One man was telling me about how he was in the military, and that was cool. I love stories."

For residents uncomfortable with human interaction, the group also brought the school's therapy dog, Guido, a golden retriever, dressed in a festive red-and-pink Valentine's Day collar.

Interact adviser Patricia Genovese, who teaches American Literature at Nature Coast, said she hopes to make the field trip an annual event.

"We make such a big deal out of holidays, but sometimes folks in hospitals and facilities get (left out)," she said. "We're bringing them that one-on-one attention that they need."

A community outreach organization, the school's club consists of 40 students who work on service projects and fundraising throughout the year. Past projects have included raising money for the county's future dog park, donating books to needy schools in Kenya and mailing care packages to soldiers in Afghanistan.

"I find that the singular thread that runs through all of the students is compassion," Genovese said. "They understand that if you're going to live in a community, you're responsible for taking care of each other."

And the students "get back" just as much as they give, they said.

"The residents are really friendly, and it's fun to give them gifts," senior Kayla Kinney, 18, said. "They love conversation."

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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