COLLIER STUDENTS TREAT SENIORS TO ‘INTERGENERATIONAL  LUNCH

Published in the Marlboro-Manalapan Reporter/Asbury Park Press 11/14/2002By Jonathan Rifkin 

Beatrice Insalaco, 87, said she felt as though she should have been applauding as she sat in Smith Hall of the Collier High School in Marlboro last week. Insalaco, originally of Toms River, currently resides in the CareOne Holmdel Health Care Center and was one of 27 seniors who participated in the seventh annual Senior Citizen Lunch at Collier, run by the school’s Service Learning Club.“The food was so good,” Insalaco said.  “I think it’s wonderful what they do.” Liz DeLucca, a teacher at Collier who runs the Service Learning Club, said seniors from Pleasant Valley Day Center and Holmdel Convalescence Center attended the lunch, held November 6^th, and were treated to a meal prepared and served by 18 students from the school. 

Jeanne Navagh, Development Coordinator for Collier, said the school is an alternative education facility for teens whose academic and emotional needs cannot be met in public schools. As seniors ate chicken franchise and grilled salmon, students from the school’s music department played background music, while other students mingled with their visitors. 

The program is one of many funded through a $9,500 grant from the OceanFirst Foundation of Ocean First Bank. “We want to help them help people,” said OceanFirst representative, Bill Ruckert.  “We’re all neighbors.” Yvonne Bermudez, Assistant Director for Activities at the CareOne Holmdel Health Center, which is part of the Holmdel Convalescence Center, said the program is beneficial for students as well as her seniors. “This is an intergenerational program,” Bermudez said.  “It teaches the students to work with and respect elders, and it cheers up the elders and reminds them of the past.” Collier Junior Rhonda Bianco, 17, of Middletown said she has participated in the program for four years and thinks it is a great experience. “It’s just fun,” she said.  “Helping people and not getting anything in return, except a thank you.” DeLucca said this year’s program was made possible with the help of fellow teachers Fran Coghlan, Ami Miano and Food Services Director John Curcio.