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January 3, 2011
Local Medical Students Reach out to Seniors at Heritage Hall
December 10, 2010 -- Faces wrinkled into smiles as more than twenty VCOM students gathered around the piano at Heritage Hall nursing home Friday night, singing familiar carols and passing out homemade Christmas cards. The group sang as the residents gathered for dinner, and even treated them with a special 7-part male acapella arrangement of "The First Noel". As the notes rang out, faces brightened, and the seniors clapped and sang along. Afterwards, the students from the VCOM chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association delivered brightly colored cards with homemade artwork to those listening, and then caroled up and down the halls for the people who had not made it out of their rooms.
Second year medical student Jessica Ramsey said, "We wanted to come and spread the cheer of Christ and Christmas to these dear seniors that are often alone around the holidays. There is a special joy in encouraging a lonely soul through music and just being there. We wanted them to know that they are important, and that someone cares. The group really enjoyed singing and encouraging them, and the residents have already asked when we would be back!"