Woodland students give portraits, smiles to Sunrise residents

Third-grade students from Woodland Elementary West made lasting memories and drew plenty of smiles from residents of Sunrise Assisted Living in Gurnee Wednesday morning.

After singing songs, the 52 students presented a story and a hand-painted portrait to each resident. The third-graders spent several weeks drawing and painting the watercolors from a photo provided by Woodland art teacher Marion Beram.

Beram said the purpose of the project is to make a keepsake for people in the community and to deliver the portraits, making the giving opportunity personal and real.

“They love the little kids,” Sunrise activities and volunteer coordinator Mady Kaleel said of the residents. “It makes them smile. The kids make them feel young again.”