Sing Along Party with Residents!

Left Image: Morning walk with residents (Me on the left, Caretaker-Celma in the middle, Resident Carol on the right)

Right Image: Sing-Along party with residents!

Saturday, May 10th 2025

By: Charlotte Hendrey

Today I decided to come to Bello Gardens at 10:00 instead of my usual 1:00 (so that I could have time to spend time with friends in the afternoon). On my walk there, I ran into the residents and caretakers who were coming back from their morning walk! I hugged Celma (one of my favorite caretakers at Bello Gardens) and joined them.

When we returned to Bello Gardens, I asked Ralph and Steve (two residents) what they wanted to do: art inside, or go out to the garden. They both agreed on going outside to the garden!

Surprisingly, this was my first time at the Bello Gardens garden (even though I have been visiting Bello Gardens since the start of the school year), so I was happy to spend some time outside with the residents on this nice morning.

We took a walk in the backyard garden, smelled the fresh pink roses, and then all gathered at the garden table, where I announced my good news! I had been practicing piano with the residents at Bello Gardens for months, and they knew that I had a competition coming up. So when I told them that I won first place, they all bursted into cheers! Everybody clapped: Caroline screamed "OH MY GOODNESS! CONGRATULATIONS!!", Ceasar smiled and said "Yayy!" while clapping his hands.

Ralph started to sing out of excitement, and I recognised the song he was singing. So I connected my phone to a speaker on the table and started playing it: "Tutti Frutti by Elvis Presley". Soon, the whole table was singing and clapping together with smiles all around!

I kept playing music from the 50's and 60's, which the residents all loved. We all danced, sang, clapped, and snapped together for a whole hour! It was so much fun that I ended up losing track of time and stayed longer than I had anticipated.

The day ended as Ralph looked up into the sky and told me "Look at that sky. It doesn't get any better than this." The residents all didn't want me to leave, and I didn't want to leave either! But I walked home with a lifted spirit.

Maybe I'll start going there in the mornings instead of the afternoons!

💌 About Hearts & Hands

Founded by students, Hearts and Hands creates intergenerational connections between young people and older adults. Volunteers lead activities, write letters, and spend time with seniors in assisted living and memory care. Discover how Hearts & Hands is making a difference: hhmarin.org.