What began as monthly choir visits has grown into a meaningful intergenerational friendship that continues to bring joy well beyond the music.
The Madeleine Choir School’s St. Dunstan Children's Choir, composed of 3rd and 4th grade students, makes monthly visits to the Capitol Hill Senior Living Community, where they spend time singing and visiting with residents. Through these visits, one student, Emma, formed a special connection with a resident named Joye, turning the choir experience into something deeply personal.
Now a 5th grader at the Choir School, Emma felt strongly about continuing that connection and bringing additional holiday joy to the residents. In collaboration with fifth grade teachers Ms. Hardin and Ms. French, students worked together to create more than 90 handmade ornaments for residents as a meaningful extension of the relationships formed during their past choir visits.
This ornament project reflects the values of The Madeleine Choir School Caring Cardinals, a service and character initiative inspired by the school’s cardinal mascot, reinforcing the school’s commitment to fostering empathy, service, and community engagement.
Earlier this week, Emma and her mother personally delivered the ornaments, on behalf of the class, to the Capitol Hill Senior Living Center. The visit was filled with smiles and emotion, as Joye’s excitement upon seeing Emma highlighted the lasting impact of their shared experiences.
“Seeing the joy and genuine happiness on Joye’s face was incredibly touching,” shared Emma’s mother, Alison. “It beautifully demonstrated how small acts of kindness can create meaningful connections.”
The ongoing connection between Emma and Joye reflects the value of continued community engagement and highlights how regular interactions, such as monthly choir visits, can lead to meaningful, lasting friendships across generations.
