Pen pal program draws generations together

By Courtney Cavanaugh
Staff Writer

Senior Citizens and fifth-graders are coming together through a pen pa program allowing students to learn what it was like to live without video games and television, and reminding the seniors what it's like to be a child.

Rich Berklau, a fifth-grade teacher at Winfield Elementary School in Winfield, initiated the intergenerational relationship five years ago between his students and residents of Wyndemere Senior Living Campus in Wheaton.

Throughout the school year, cards and letters are written and delivered between students and seniors. This gives the pen pals a chance to exchange stories, life experiences and hobbies.

Every year new students become pen pals with Wyndemere residents. On Jan 26, the seniors and fifth-graders met for the first time at Wyndemere.

The senior pen pals excitedly greeted the students at their meeting. The students brought paper lanterns they made and painted as gifts, and the seniors gave them goody bags.

Resident John O'Melia, who's life experience includes helping to liberate Dechau Concentration Camp during World War II, has participated in the pen pal program for three years. This year his pal is Croatia-born Emmanuel Arnautovic.

O'Melia made a special welcome sign for Arnautovic and had his own goody bag for him. When the two finally met, they were all smiles.

"It's a renewal of enthusiasm and energy that they bring to me." O'Melia said about why he does the program. "The same is true with my grandchildren. But I need the pen pal program to keep me going when (the grandchildren are not around)."

Fifth-grader Luke Landeros paired up with Wyndemere resident Richard Skipworth for the program. Landeros said he could learn a lot from his new friend.

Wyndemere resident John O'Melia holds up a sign for his pen pal, Winfield Elementary School fifth-grader Emanuel Arnautovic. The program ties the two generations together and throughout the school year they send each other cards and letters exchanging stories, life experiences and hobbies.

"They'll teach me about their things and what they did when they were younger like me, what they did and what they had," he said.

Resident Sadie Bryant taught second grade at Forest Glen Elementary School in Glen Ellyn for 24 years and English as a second language at Churchill Elementary School in Glen Ellyn for 22 years. She said she also enjoys the program.

Bryant said that this past Thanksgiving, her doorbell rang. She was surprised to find a former pen pal at her door with her mother and grandmother and a Thanksgiving basket for her, she said.

"It's just nice to communicate with them and see what they're interested in these days," she said. "I just love the interaction with the kids."

The seniors told the students stories, and gave them a tour of the facility and their apartments. Resident Curt Gronner, a retired dentist, had his vast collection of arrowheads on display for the students. Resident Mary Peccarelli also told the students a story.

Bernklau said the experience is very "enriching, rewarding, and heartfelt" for the students and the seniors. He said it also teaches the students that communication is possible regardless of

age differences.

"It's from the heart," he said. "You just can't put a price on it."

Wyndemere program leader Michelle Golden said it's hard to be a child today. The world is very difficult and complex, and there is wisdom the seniors can give to their student pen pals, she said.

Randalynn Kaye, director or marketing and sales at Wyndmere, said the seniors also benefit from the program.

"It keeps them in touch with the young people of today," she said. "I think they get a tremendous amount of fulfillment in sharing their life experiences."