2008 Woodie Awards
International students find new 'family' at nursing home
Mary Lunday
Issue date: 7/12/07 Section: News
As Xu Juo walks into Sunset Manor Nursing Center, she recognizes all the people there.
Residents of the nursing center are waiting on Xu Juo and the other participants from Pittsburg State University to spend time singing and talking with them.
"It's like going to a big family where I can help others," said Juo, senior in computer science from China.
Don Smith, director of culture crossing, the international program of Campus Christians, has been visiting Sunset Manor for 29 years, and bringing two to five international students every week for the past seven years.
On this day, two Asian students and two American students join in on the visit. Smith and the students walk around and talk to every resident there.
"Only half of them are here right now, the rest will come in and fill this entire room up," said Lori Wiita, the center's activities assistant, of a room about the size of the Crimson and Gold Ballroom in the PSU student center.
Wheelchairs and couches form one large circle as residents sit side-by-side ready to sing.
"I think some do look forward to this all week," said Amie Feagan, Sunset Manor Nursing Center activity director. "I think they do miss them a lot, they love having people visit them."
The students walk around to give each person a song book titled "Sonshine Songs & Scriptures: Victory Edition," with all the words and page numbers in large print.
Smith jumps right into song by playing guitar and announcing No. 14, "There is Power in the Blood" as the first song they will sing.
Juo shows a woman named Mary the correct page and begins to sing with her.
After the first song is finished, Smith leads everyone in prayer, and continues through three more songs to No. 17, "Beneath the Cross of Jesus."
During the four songs, Wiita brings in more people one by one until they fill up the room. Roll call is taken to account for all 72 residents who attend the activity.
Smith then leads everyone in action songs, but warms the residents up first.
"Remember, we don't want to do any movement too fast, you might pull a muscle," Smith said. "Be careful, you don't want to hit anyone," he continues jokingly as the residents stretch their arms out to the side.
The first action song they do is "Deep and Wide," but the crowd favorite is "Really Living," in which all twirl a pointer finger in circles.
Juo then stands in front of the residents to read a verse from the Bible. Everyone claps for her when she is done.
More songs, more talk and many smiles later, all join in singing the last song, No. 18, "Count your Blessings."
When finished, Smith asks everyone to list their blessings.
"Tell somebody near you what has really been good for you lately," Smith said.
Charla Atkinson, junior in nursing, asks a woman named Laura what her blessings are, and Laura said, "I don't know, I have so many."
"It's a blessing for me when you sing," Atkinson said.
Residents of the nursing center are waiting on Xu Juo and the other participants from Pittsburg State University to spend time singing and talking with them.
"It's like going to a big family where I can help others," said Juo, senior in computer science from China.
Don Smith, director of culture crossing, the international program of Campus Christians, has been visiting Sunset Manor for 29 years, and bringing two to five international students every week for the past seven years.
On this day, two Asian students and two American students join in on the visit. Smith and the students walk around and talk to every resident there.
"Only half of them are here right now, the rest will come in and fill this entire room up," said Lori Wiita, the center's activities assistant, of a room about the size of the Crimson and Gold Ballroom in the PSU student center.
Wheelchairs and couches form one large circle as residents sit side-by-side ready to sing.
"I think some do look forward to this all week," said Amie Feagan, Sunset Manor Nursing Center activity director. "I think they do miss them a lot, they love having people visit them."
The students walk around to give each person a song book titled "Sonshine Songs & Scriptures: Victory Edition," with all the words and page numbers in large print.
Smith jumps right into song by playing guitar and announcing No. 14, "There is Power in the Blood" as the first song they will sing.
Juo shows a woman named Mary the correct page and begins to sing with her.
After the first song is finished, Smith leads everyone in prayer, and continues through three more songs to No. 17, "Beneath the Cross of Jesus."
During the four songs, Wiita brings in more people one by one until they fill up the room. Roll call is taken to account for all 72 residents who attend the activity.
Smith then leads everyone in action songs, but warms the residents up first.
"Remember, we don't want to do any movement too fast, you might pull a muscle," Smith said. "Be careful, you don't want to hit anyone," he continues jokingly as the residents stretch their arms out to the side.
The first action song they do is "Deep and Wide," but the crowd favorite is "Really Living," in which all twirl a pointer finger in circles.
Juo then stands in front of the residents to read a verse from the Bible. Everyone claps for her when she is done.
More songs, more talk and many smiles later, all join in singing the last song, No. 18, "Count your Blessings."
When finished, Smith asks everyone to list their blessings.
"Tell somebody near you what has really been good for you lately," Smith said.
Charla Atkinson, junior in nursing, asks a woman named Laura what her blessings are, and Laura said, "I don't know, I have so many."
"It's a blessing for me when you sing," Atkinson said.
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