Canonsburg seniors share spooky treats
A handful of seniors at Quality Family Care Adult Daycare in Canonsburg have spent October preparing a number of homemade goodie baskets full of spooky sweet treats to distribute to local elementary schools ahead of Halloween.
Quality Family Care Adult Daycare Founder Darlah Gazvoda began the inter-generational basket program after she opened her business on Highland Avenue in 1995.
She says it gives the seniors a way to connect with students at both Muse Elementary and South Central School, who receive the treat baskets for both Halloween and Easter.
According to Gazvoda, several local businesses have stepped up to donate coupons or gift certificates to the baskets, to make the elementary school students’ holiday that much sweeter.
In return, the students design colorful thank-you cards for the seniors at Quality Family Care, which are a consistent favorite.
“It brings (the seniors) so much joy,” Gazvoda said.
Her seniors make the baskets from a printed paper template, then design them with festive fun decorations to match the season.
Some of the seniors even bring baskets home for their grandchildren or nieces and nephews.
Gazvoda incorporates basket-making into her regular daily itinerary of meals, exercise and other arts-and-craft activities.
“Since we started in ’95, some of the kids that got those baskets probably have kids there now getting the same baskets,” she said.