The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

The official student newspaper of Walter Johnson High School

The Pitch

Another successful senior citizen luncheon

Another+successful+senior+citizen+luncheon

Between the festive center pieces to the waft of food in the air, the Senior Citizen Luncheon is the true epitome of thanksgiving. All the tables decorated with fall colors and festive leaves beautifully displayed in wicker baskets. The warm atmosphere is meet with the smiling faces of the senior citizens, eager for this event to begin.

Each year around Thanksgiving time, the Key Club hosts the annual Senior Citizen Luncheon as their way of giving back to the community. On November 16, they rolled out the welcome mat for a group of senior citizens from the local community. All were invited to enjoy an amazing meal accompanied with music and conversation with the key club volunteers.  

Some Key Club members met a couple weeks ago to discuss planning for the upcoming spectacle, but a lot goes into the planning and execution of the event. From food preparations to decorations and organization entertainment, this is not small feat for the club members.

“We plan the luncheon very far in advance because it is our biggest event of the year. We have different committees for decorations and hold fundraisers for it, as well as contacting all the senior living homes,” senior and Key Club vice president Michaela Anderson said.

The goal of the event is to provide a great experience and an enjoyable atmosphere to the senior citizens. The Key Club as a whole is focused on volunteer efforts in the community and offers great ways for students to earn SSL hours, along with broadening horizons on different ways a person can help out their community.

The day of the actual event was filled with joy and excitement. The room and tables were decorated to give off a very festive vibe to the guests. Each year, different bands and singing groups perform for the citizens, and this year featured a stellar line-up. Students groups including Jazz Band, Pop Fly, Advanced Choir and Madrigals showcased their musical talents for all the guests.

The morning was comprised of food, music and good company. While the guests ate and enjoyed their time, Key Club members had an opportunity to walk around and indulge in conversations with the elders.

What makes this event so memorable isn’t just the food or the music, it’s the company. So many people explain that their favorite part of the event is the people they meet and all the various stories they hear.

“Last year, I met a 97 year old named Dolly and we talked for hours. We have been exchanging emails ever since and I look forward to seeing her this upcoming luncheon,” senior Gabi Vogel said.

At the end of the event, all the senior citizens got up and danced around with the students. They all enjoyed the music and were truly happy to be there dancing. It definitely was a humbling experience to see that something so small can make a person so happy.

Every year, students look forward the luncheon because they see another way to give back to their community. It is a lot of fun when everyone gets involved, and the key club is adamant on having as many volunteers as possible. Some might view volunteer work as tedious and don’t see what purpose it serves in life. However, this luncheon does the complete opposite of that and changes people’s views of what it truly means to give back.

“This is my first year planning the event. The reason I wanted to be involved is because I love community and when kids have an opportunity to be kind. I also love parties and events, and I see how much the senior citizens love it. Planning is chaos with a lot of moving parts, but the old coordinator Mrs. Hoefling had really detailed notes and a great schedule, and she is still helping out this year,” Luncheon coordinator Elaina Van Curan said.   

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