Searcy (LP) Valentine’s Day is a hard holiday for some of the elderly in our community. A lot of these people have lost loved ones and want to spend this holiday with those in a similar situation as them. HOSA, future health professionals, decided to spend the holiday at the Lightle Center with these people to give them some company.

“HOSA is a club for students who want to join the medical field,” said senior Dillon Stone. “We do a lot of community outreach to help others become more healthy.”

They did a “cake” walk instead of cake they brought gifts that they could actually use. It was things like socks, gift cards, and other things that they would enjoy. 

“We hosted the cake walk for people to walk around or others to walk around for them,” said senior Raegan Wood, who is also President.

Each person had a certain job. They had an announcer for the numbers for the cake-walk, runners to take people their gifts they won, and a person to play the music.

“I had the job of being a DJ and picking the music,” said Stone.

After the cake walk, the students took the extra time to go and sit with the Lightle Center members. Each person had a special story and different background.

“The lady I sat with had lived an interesting life,” said senior Kalie Brown. “She had moved around a lot and was moving in a few weeks to Oklahoma.”

Not only did they get the joy of the HOSA members coming to their Valentine’s Day party, they touched the lives of each HOSA member. Getting to spend the time and learning of these people’s lives really changed a few of the member’s hearts. They really got a perspective on life. 

“We all lended an ear to everyone there, listening to their stories,” said Stone.

One thing for sure, the HOSA members and the Lightle Center members are all looking forward to next Valentine’s Day to spend together.