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Little Egg Harbor Skilled Nursing Facility Delighted to Participate in Elementary School’s Intergenerational Service-Learning Project
Seacrest resident Debra Rapciewicz receives her Bag of Smiles
LITTLE EGG HARBOR, N.J. (March 30, 2023) — Frog Pond Elementary School fifth graders’ recent delivery of “Bags of Smiles” to Seacrest Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center brought just that – and so much more! – to the residents of the Little Egg Harbor skilled nursing facility. The intergenerational outreach effort is part of a service-learning program for students at the local school.
“This was such a special day for everyone here at Seacrest,” said Kimberly Hoffman, admissions director. “Our residents and staff were delighted to talk with the fifth graders about the school’s service project, and, of course, the residents were touched to receive the over-flowing Bags of Smiles. We could easily see the effort and care that went into creating each bag.”
The fifth graders kicked off the project months ago, starting with research and interviews with Hoffman and Jacqueline Phillips, director of community relations at Seacrest, to learn about the skilled nursing facility and identify appropriate items for the Bags of Smiles. From there, the 40 participating students created a list of requested items – including adult coloring books, puzzles, games and more – and solicited donations from family, fellow students and friends, by creating a video and hanging signs up around the school. Donations poured in.
Students thoughtfully assembled and decorated the Bags of Smiles, and on the back of each bag was the quote: “Kindness is making someone’s heart just a little lighter and their smile a bit brighter just by sharing your own heart.” Seacrest residents also received personalized cards written by the Frog Pond students.
“From start to finish, our fifth graders thoroughly enjoyed this outreach project, which centered on both learning and creating meaningful connections with seniors in the community,” said Jacqueline Truzzolino, director of Elementary Education for the Little Egg Harbor School District. “These are a really wonderful group of students who have huge hearts and want to help. Our thanks to Seacrest for joining in this project.”
Located at 1001 Center Street, Seacrest provides post-hospital care, short-term rehab and long-term residential care. The 171-bed skilled nursing facility, which is undergoing a multi-million-dollar enhancement, carries a five-star designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for both overall quality and quality of resident care. More information on the facility and its programming can be found at seacrestrehabhc.com.
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About Seacrest Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
1001 Center Street, Little Egg Harbor, N.J., 08087
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Media Contact:
Sandy Crisafulli / David Wilderotter
Caryl Communications
201-796-7788
sandy@caryl.com / david@caryl.com