Staff photo / Chris McBride Jefferson PK-8 student Ami’r Adams, 4, has the book “My World of Color” by Margaret Wise Brown read to him by Jefferson school psychologist Katie Komlanc and Gillette Nursing Home resident Gerri Licavoli on Monday morning.

WARREN — A handful of kindergarteners from Jefferson PK-8 School brought smiles and laughter to the residents of Gillette Nursing Home as the little ones spent the day playing ABC bingo and planting flowers in pots students decorated for their new senior friends.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, the Elm Road facility’s community liaison Angie Stulgis said they look forward to putting on events like Monday’s more often because many residents eagerly anticipate days like these, especially those who don’t have family nearby to visit them.

For many of the nursing home residents, an unexpected visit can be the highlight of their week, she said.

“They’re excited about the event,” she said. “They wanted to see the kids, it may remind them of their grandkids or even reminisce about things they used to do with their kids.”

Some of the residents, like Gerri Licavoli, spent time reading books like “My World of Color” by Margaret Wise Brown, to 4-year-old Ami’r Adams.

Licavoli called it a “wonderful” event that gave her and others at the nursing home some enjoyment and a way of giving back to the youth.

A large amount of community donations from Second Baptist Church were collected by the nursing home, providing residents with food, art supplies and gift cards to be used for bingo game prizes.

Warren City Schools Special Education Supervisor Denise Delaquila said the day is meant to bring smiles to the faces of residents but she also added, “We want them to know that somebody is thinking about them and wants to spend time with them.”

Delaquila said the school district will aim to return with kindergarten students for another idea to engage them with residents of the nursing home. One of the ideas floated would be an event specifically dedicated to veterans.

The nursing home is preparing for its second annual car show from noon to 3 p.m. on June 1. The rain date is June 2. To register a car for that event, Stulgis can be reached at 330-372-1960.