Each Saturday a group of 50 older adults gathers at the Old Pine Community Center. Since 1978, this program has provided spiritual and social fellowship, a home-cooked noon meal and a bag lunch for seniors. Seasonal celebrations include special Thanksgiving and Easter meals. A wonderful Holiday meal is served on Christmas Day. The program is staffed by volunteers from the church and the community, as well as a paid chef. The seminary intern provides pastoral care and visits with the seniors each Saturday. Volunteers are welcomed and needed each Saturday.

No need to sign-up in advance - just join us on Saturday morning or call the Community Center at 215-627-2493.

Kitchen Helpers: 9:30am-11:30am

Senior Pals (to visit with the seniors) 10:00am-1:00pm

Servers & Clean up Crew: 11:30am-1:30pm

Saturday for Seniors "From a Child's Point of View"

"My favorite winter tradition is when my family goes to a community center in Center City Philadelphia on Christmas Day.  We get up at about 8:00am, and get dressed, but don't have to wear any special clothes.  My Mom, Dad, my sister and my brother and I get into the car.  We stop at Wawa to get drinks.  I usually get hot chocolate.  On the way into town, even though we are Jewish, we listen to Christmas songs on the radio and we sing along to them.

When we get there, we go into the kitchen to say hello to some cousins, aunts, and friends who help set up with us.  After we say hello, we begin to set the tables.  We put out placemats and bring out silverware, tea cups and napkins.  Then when the people start to come, we serve them a snack. My family's good friend, Carl, usually plays songs on the piano.

At noon, we begin to serve the dinner, which is ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, and a roll, but my mom, brother, sister and I don't eat the ham because we keep kosher.  Whenever I walk by the people say, "Hi, what's your name?"  I say, "Aaron."  I enjoy talking to them.

When my aunt comes, she always brings my Chanukah/Birthday presents.  I always love to unwrap them before I get home, but I don't want to open them to play with.  While the senior citizens are having dinner, I like to go in the gym with my brother.  We usually go in the closet to get toys and balls to play with.

At 12:30pm, we serve the dessert.  We serve candy canes and other stuff like pie a la mode (pie with ice cream).  The senior sitizens leave when they are done dessert and then we clean up.  After we clean up, we either go to Chinatown or the movies.

This time is special to me because I get to help senior citizens.  I always look forward to doing this every year.  I have been doing this ever since I was born.  This is my favorite winter tradition."

By:  Aaron D.