Evesham Township School District Students treated Senior Citizens to Dessert Theater
Senior citizens from across Marlton had a real treat on Tuesday, April 15, when they enjoyed a free dessert buffet while listening to music performed by Evesham Township School District students at the annual Senior Citizen Dessert Theatre.
Eighth-grade-student volunteers and staff greeted the 55 seniors, escorted them to their seats, and helped them select desserts from the buffet before the music began. Performances by children from DeMasi Middle School and Marlton Elementary School included Disney songs and “The Legacy Of Heroes,” a song dedicated to veterans.
“It’s a nice opportunity to do some community service and to do something for these people,” said Kevin Bookwalter, one of the 20 student volunteers from Marlton Middle School. “I’m excited to meet people and help them with whatever they may need.”
The Senior Citizen Dessert Theatre has been a free annual event for the community’s seniors for more than a decade. District employees and Parent Teacher Associations and Organizations provided the desserts and door prizes for the seniors to take home. All 55 senior attendees also took home a goody bag courtesy of the Evesham Township Education Association.
In his welcoming speech to the seniors, ETSD Superintendent John Scavelli, Jr. called the event, “a small token of our appreciation for all that you’ve done.”
Seventh-grade science teacher Lorraine Busa, who also helps coordinate the Dessert Theatre every year, agreed that it was important to give back to the senior community.
“The seniors really enjoy making a connection with the kids and it’s good for the generations to connect,” Busa said. “They make each other laugh and bring joy to each other; that’s the best part, and it doesn’t cost the district anything.”
As the seniors perused the dessert buffet and coffee tables and examined their prizes in between musical acts, they seemed to be having a good time as well. Carol and Don Carver have been married for 46 years and live at Heritage Village. This was their fourth time attending the Dessert Theatre. Carol always looks forward to seeing the students perform, and Don is very fond of the desserts.
“There are too many to choose from!”
