Farmington senior citizens help children learn to read


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FARMINGTON — An effort is beginning in Farmington to enlist seniors to help kids in their neighborhood schools. These individuals aren't high school seniors either — This volunteer contingent has an average age of 90.

When the assisted living bus arrives at Eagle Bay Elementary, seniors from the Country Care Center slowly, but eagerly exit the bus to go tutor young readers who need their help.

"We come to hear them read and correct them if they're making errors," said Lucille Bingham, 95.

The kids might be only one-tenth the age of their tutors, but they soak in the experience and attention.

"I like reading with her because she helps me with the words, and she's nice about it," said sixth-grader Abigail Wight.


[It's] much better than just sitting, wasting away in the care facility.

–Dauna Seager


But the volunteers are convinced that they're the ones who benefit most. They believe they're never too old to serve, but they have a hard time finding things they can do outside the center.

"[It's] much better than just sitting, wasting away in the care facility," said Dauna Seager, 88. "There must be some usefulness in this old girl."

"When we drive home, they are just glowing about how little Spencer did or Kaitlyn did on her reading," said Greg Barlow, Country Care Assisted Living. "So really, we're the ones who are benefiting the most."

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