Thornton Academy Action Team members and guests from the Paul Hazelton House senior residence pose together during the pre-play reception in the school library. The Action Team gave each woman a framed copy of the photo as a holiday gift.

As the Thornton Academy Players were rehearsing their fall production last November, Action Team Captains at the high school saw an opportunity for a different kind of service project. Why not invite "the neighbors" - residents of the Paul Hazelton House, located across the street - to attend a performance of the play, "Street Scene," hosted by the Action Team? The Hazelton House is a Volunteers of America-run facility providing affordable housing for senior citizens who are able to care for themselves. Residents are between the ages of 62 and 92, with the average age about 80. Most are single.

To ensure each senior had a host student, the Action Team invited twelve residents to attend the production as their guests. Hazelton House manager Deborah Danforth posted a sign-up sheet that was quickly filled - by coincidence, with all female residents. With the guest list confirmed, Action Team teacher-advisors Carol Taranko and Mary Ann Martin asked the Thornton Action Team Captains - Kory Martin, Erika Roth, Chris Stasio, and Jessica Stewart - to recruit fellow students to take part in the event and help serve as escorts for the seniors.

Pre-play Dialogue a Hit

On the night of the performance, the Action Team greeted their guests from the Hazelton House with a pre-show reception in the school library. Each senior citizen received a hand-made silk corsage. The students served snacks of cheese, fruit, and brownies that they prepared for the occasion. The careful arrangements made the women "really feel pampered," reports Ms. Danforth.

Before curtain time, the seniors and students had a chance to get to know each other. For guest Claire Louzier, chatting with the teens was one of many highlights of the evening. "It just was the greatest fun to be able to sit around and talk, with everyone participating and enjoying the conversation," she says. "I asked one of the boys if he was the star of the football team whose name I kept hearing and reading about. That seemed to amaze the students that we really take notice of what goes on at the school."

Socializing with the seniors from Hazelton House was also "the best part" for Action Team Captain Erika Roth. "The most fun was having one-on-one conversation with each woman. They all had such a great sense of humor and were so young at heart!"

One topic of conversation could have been volunteering. Ms. Louzier volunteers as a foster grandparent for younger children. "I have volunteered since I was in Girl Scouts," she explains, "and I've continued to volunteer for many organizations and causes during my lifetime." At 73, she's proof that when you begin volunteering at a young age, you're more likely to stay involved in community service. (See the box for her inspiring reasons to volunteer.)

At curtain time, the students ushered their guests to the auditorium, where they sat together for the performance. "It was great to be able to enjoy the play with them," adds Erika. After the show, the teens escorted the women to their cars - and then took their own bows for an Action Team project that was a hit with all!

Here's how the Action Teams work: Major League Baseball players committed to community service work with Volunteers of America to recruit and help train high school students who are dedicated volunteers and eager to motivate others.

These students become Action Team Captains, who spread the players' message about the importance of community service to teens in their area.

To date, more than 8,000 students have made a difference in their communities through the Action Teams, helping over 38,000 people where they live.

What do Action Team members do? They volunteer in ways their communities need--from assisting in local day care and reading programs, to serving meals in shelters and soup kitchens.

With offices around the country, Volunteers of America connects Action Team students with local programs and people who need the help of energetic teens.