Fremont Seniors Find Valentines In Second Graders

FREMONT, CA -- Dozens of seniors in Fremont found Valentine's Day love from a group of second graders last week. Students at Jensen Ranch Elementary made more than 100 Valentine's Day cards for the seniors living at Brookdale Fremont, brightening up the holiday for many of the community's residents.

Teresa Truong, a resident program coordinator at Brookdale Fremont, said she came up with the idea to have her daughter's second grade class make the Valentines.

"I came up with the idea of having the kids make valentines for the seniors because I want to bring a smile to my residents on a special day," Truong said. "The other reason is I always like to bring the old and the young together. Sometimes we just forget how much these seniors love kids."

Truong said the 25 students in Suzie Cunha's class made the Valentines in one morning. Each student at the Castro Valley school made about five Valentines, she said.

Truong then surprised the seniors in the retirement home during their dinner.

"Seeing my residents sit down at the Valentine's dinner and have a Valentine's Day card right in front of them brought tear to my eyes," Truong said. "One resident told me this means so much to her because she was a teacher helper for 80 years."

Truong said one resident didn't think she would have a Valentine this year, while another said it brightened her somber day.

But, it also meant a lot to the students too.

"The kids are very happy and very excited knowing that the residents are happy receiving the cards," Truong said.

--Photos courtesy of Teresa Truong