Student club forms bonds with area seniors through crafts, music, fellowship

In the 2025-26 academic year, Liberty University students completed more than 450,000 hours of community service through the university’s Christian/Community Service (CSER) program. From volunteering with local organizations like the Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Club to feeding the hungry and packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, students are sent out into the community to serve residents of all ages.

Every weekend throughout the school year, you can find members of Liberty’s Across Generations club at senior homes, independent living, and assisted living facilities. For many of the residents, the students’ compassion brings joy and warmth during a difficult season of life.

“I enjoy talking to them and seeing the impact that we make. But they also make an impact our lives; I have learned so much through just listening to them,” said junior Hailey Kalinowsky, club president.

The group, one of over 160 student-led clubs under the Student Government Association, fosters relationships with area senior citizens through different volunteer events during the year. On the weekends, the clubs go to nursing homes around Lynchburg, where they play bingo, do arts and crafts, coloring, do residents’ nails and makeup, sing hymns, and put on music concerts. This past year, the club visited Runk & Pratt at Liberty Ridge, Willow Ridge, Bentley Commons at Lynchburg, and more.

“I appreciate doing (a CSER opportunity) that contributes a service to the community,” said Jack Parsons, a club member. “I think the elderly appreciate it, and it is a really fun club.”

On craft days, the students use the opportunity to listen to the residents’ life stories and ask about their week.

Every semester, the club plans two music concerts at Runk & Pratt at Liberty Ridge and McGurk House, where they sing hymns with the residents. The students brought desserts, drinks, and bookmarks to hand out at Liberty Ridge, and they catered food and gave away prizes for the concert at McGurk House.

Club member and graduate student Kate Masters started a new initiative this past year called legacy writing in which club members interview seniors about their life story, encouraging them to talk about their journeys and share their wisdom. The club plans to compile and publish the interviews as a book.

Kalinowsky said she started attending Across Generations and eventually became president because of her grandfather. He was in a senior home before he passed away, and she felt like she could have done more to bond with him. She realized that some residents are lonely without family nearby, so she joined to engage with them and provide comfort.

“Throughout my time here, I have seen more and more senior citizens participate in our activities. I’ve noticed those who mainly stick in their homes slowly start coming out of their shell and join the younger generation,” Kalinowsky said.

She said she has also seen some residents grow in their faith.

“One senior that stood out to me was a man who wasn’t a strong Christian, but the more we came, the more he talked about it,” Kalinowsky said. “Eventually, one day, he proclaimed (his salvation) to everyone. It was a big hurrah moment, because many of the seniors have turned to Christ or know Christ now.”

Her favorite part of the leading the club is “seeing the seniors happy and overjoyed that someone cares about them,” she said. “They’re such an overlooked community; seeing them so happy with fellowship in worship and just celebrating the Lord is really the best part.”

Students interested in joining the club can email acrossgenerations@liberty.edu. Discover more club opportunities at Liberty.edu/Students/SGA/Clubs.