Whether it's the need for graduation community service hours, or simply the desire to do some good for their community, Cranston teens have stepped up to offer good wishes and holiday greetings to Cranston Seniors.

Started by Teen Librarian, Alyssa Taft, the program has been a huge success.

"This year I started a teen program called Service Saturday. One Saturday a month teens can stop by the library between 1 and 4 p.m. and work on a project that benefits the library or community, and earn volunteer hours. On our Saturday November 18th Service Saturday, our teen volunteers began decorating Thanksgiving cards for the senior center," Taft said.

Each year the Cranston Senior Center delivers 300 Thanksgiving meal kits to seniors in need. This year each kit contained a handmade Thanksgiving card created by a CPL Teen Volunteer as well as information about our Books at Home program and our On the Line poetry telephone program. 

"This was an opportunity for teens to spread a little holiday cheer to Cranston seniors as well as reach out to potential non-library users and let them know about some of our services. The teens worked really hard to not only decorate 300 cards but to put together the packets. Over the course of two days, 20 teen volunteers worked a combined 46 hours on this service project," Taft said.

She delivered the packets to the Senior Center's Assistant Director, David Quiroa and he said that the seniors receiving the Thanksgiving meals would be so happy to get a handmade card. 

Quiroa said that the seniors were very appreciative of the meals, and truly enjoyed reading the cards.

He shared some samples of the thank you notes he received.

The Harris residents stated how they were able to enjoy the food and still feel connected.

Donna DiDomenico Nye sent a note to the Senior Center thanking them for the food, the decorations and generosity.

Taft had teen volunteers make another 300 cards on our December Service Saturday to go with the upcoming Christmas meals.

There were 10 teens working. They came from Cranston East, West, Bishop Hendricken, St. Patrick's Academy, and the Islamic School of Rhode Island.

"I am here for community service hours, but also as a way to spread holiday cheer, help the library and because it's fun," said Cranston East freshman Zayla Miranda.

The cards were all hand decorated using stickers, craft papers, markers and creativity.

"The teens did a beautiful job on the cards and the library loves partnering with the senior center," said Taft.

For more information about any program at the Cranston Library, go to https://www.cranstonlibrary.org.

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER: Cranston teens show off a few of their handmade holiday cards that are being put into meals delivered to Cranston Seniors for the holidays.

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OLD FASHIONED THANKS: A sample of a thank you note that was received at the Cranston Senior Center on behalf of a grateful family. (Photos courtesy of Dave Quiroa, Cranston Senior Center)

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