Local group of sixth graders read to senior citizens

Brookdale-Noah read Mike Thelma — Noah Weimer, 11, reads to Mike Schaeffer and Thelma Macafee.

By AMY BALTODANO
Hays Post

When the trio of 11-year-old boys first arrived at Brookdale Hays, 1801 E. 27th, they were all eager to talk to resident Mike Schaeffer about his experience as a Pearl Harbor survivor. First though, they planned to read out loud some of their favorite stories to other residents, and quickly divided up, retreating to their designated reading areas in the assisted-living facility.

Jack Fields read to resident Glenda Eller. Fields is reading the ‘I Funny’ series by author James Patterson. Eller said she “enjoys having the young man read to me. He does a great job.”

Fields said it started with his friend, Garrett Wellbrock.

“Garrett told me he was doing this reading club thing, and I thought it would be nice to read to the senior citizens,” he said.

Fields hopes to improve his reading skills as well.

“I think I’m going to improve in reading out loud, because I haven’t really been doing good at that — I stumble — and I’m improving.”

Wellbrock sees another positive aspect with the friends’ project.

“It’s fun to just wake up in the morning and know you get to ride your bikes,” he said.

The three boys live close to each other.

“Garrett moved so now he is a block away from me. So I ride my bike over to his house to get him,” Fields explained. “Noah (Weimer) lives a little bit from us, so he rides earlier and as a group we meet up and ride down here.”

Brookdale-3 boys bikes — Hays friends Jack Fields, Noah Weimer and Garrett Wellbrock are spending their summer reading to Brookdale Hays senior citizens two mornings a week.

All three boys agreed reading to seniors is a “fun time.”

Weimer said it gives them something to do this summer, “instead of playing video games, so we’re not bored.”

Wellbrock’s mother, Hays Area Chamebr of Commerce Executive Director Tammy Wellbrock, helped the boys with their reading project.

“My mom really wanted me to read this summer, and it just evolved from there,” said Garrett Wellbrock.

The three friends have been reading to the Brookdale Hays seniors for the last three weeks. They make the trip on their bicycles every Monday and Wednesday morning.

Each boy was able to make their own decision on the reading material. Fields said, “I looked for funny books and things they would be interested in and make them laugh. Some of those jokes I couldn’t figure out.”

Weimer reads to Schaeffer and Thelma Macafee. He felt like the book he chose was a good one. “I just kind of found a series that sounded good to me, so I just picked it and it’s really good so far.”

Brookdale-garrett reads — Garrett Wellbrock, 11, reads to Millie Flax.

Brookdale Hays Executive Director Lisa Leiker said, “The residents love it when they come by. Thelma has a smile on her face the entire time Noah is reading to her.”

Wellbrock was reading to Millie Flax, who was full of compliments for the young man. She said, “Garrett was doing a great job and was a very good reader.” He chose the ‘I Survive’ series, after hearing there might be someone living in the home who had experienced and lived through Pearl Harbor.

As much as they enjoy their time reading, they equally enjoy spending time with Schaeffer and hearing him share his tale of living through the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The boys all agree it’s “pretty exciting and cool.”

Fields shared one of his favorite stories from spending time with Schaeffer. “Mike said that after Pearl Harbor, he opened his locker and there was a peanut can on the ground, he put it in his locker, and then he closed the locker, turned around and the peanut can was on the floor. He didn’t know how it got there, because when he closed the locker, the peanut can was in the locker. He said that was his greatest mystery of Pearl Harbor.”

Wellbrock decided it would be a good idea for them to watch the movie, ‘Pearl Harbor,’ so they can talk to Schaeffer about it.

Brookdale-Jack Reads to Glenda — Jack Fields, 11, reads to Brookdale Hays resident Glenda Eller.

Schaeffer said, “The boys can read just fine and have no problem there. ”

All boys will be attending Hays Middle School this fall and they hope classmates can learn something from the three of them. Fields said, “We can pass on the idea of reading to the senior citizens, so they can maybe do it next year.”

Weimer said, “It gives you something to do in the summer, you get to spend time with your friends and that makes it fun, and improves your reading skills.”

Disclosure: Jack Fields and Garrett Wellbrock are the sons of Eagle Communications employees. Hear of more good things local youngsters are doing in the community? Pass the story idea along to [email protected].