"It all started with a Valentine."
What started with a symbol of love has turned into a labor of love for 10-year-old Emmee Grisim. She was a kindergartener when she made a Valentine to deliver to a resident of Lake City Nursing Home. On that day on, Emmee decided she liked visiting with the residents. Now, you'll find her there during just about every free moment she has.
A typical day has Emmee riding her bike to the nursing home. Then this fifth grader rounds up the residents for exercises. Bible hour is next on the agenda. That's followed by lunch. Afternoons are filled with game playing. By 5:30, Emmee is headed back home.
Her daily goal is to have face-to-face contact with each of the 100 residents. Because of Emmee's volunteering work, the nursing home has started a mentoring program to connect residents with other children in the community. The result has been a sharing of cultures across generations.
SELECTED CHARITY: Lake City Mayo Health System, & Lake City Nursing Home Activity Department