Students deliver special holiday meal
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL - For the 10th consecutive year families from Howell's Ramtown Elementary School joined with the township's senior services department and a local restaurant to bring homebound seniors a hot meal on Christmas Eve.

On Dec. 24 approximately 15 homebound seniors received a dinner that included a split half chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables and dinner rolls, courtesy of The Ivy League, Route 9, Howell.

Carol Zur, director of Howell senior services and the senior center, said, "Every year it has been rough on certain seniors in our community. Some are homebound, all are low-income, and a number of them may be ill or alone for the holidays.

"This initiative shows that the seniors are thought of by the community. It truly embodies the spirit of giving when people receive gifts from individuals they don't even know," she said.

The children and their families who made the special deliveries are helping to promote the department's goals, which include mutual respect and a positive relationship, Zur said.

Phyllis Klein, a Ramtown PTO member and coordinator of the service project, shared Zur's sentiments and said the initiative served a dual purpose.

"This was good for the children because it helped to bridge the generation gap and it showed them the importance of taking care of others," Klein said. "It also showed them that they can make a difference in someone's life."

Ramtown Principal Laurie Zickler said, "This was a nice way for our families to reach out and bring the seniors of our community holiday cheer."

Jeff Graham, manager of The Ivy League, said the restaurant participated in the effort because "giving back to the community is the right thing to do. They have been good to us so we give back."

The next service project on the Ramtown school's agenda is an Empty Bowl event that will take place in April. The school will sponsor a spaghetti dinner and donate the proceeds to the local food bank.