"They're here! They're here!"

A group of 10-year-olds jumped up and down, waved their hands vigorously in the air with smiles stretching at least a mile wide. You'd think it was Selena Gomez or the Jonas Brothers that was arriving by limo. But it wasn't.

It was way better.

Two buses, full of grandmas and grandpas from the Chilliwack and District Senior Resource Society's Time Out program, pulled into the Promontory elementary school parking lot.

They had come for a tea party – with Promontory's Grade 5 class.

Teacher Debbie Mathony's Grade 5 class has taken on the Adopt-a-Senior program, a fundraising initiative to help save the Time Out program, which had its government funding cut this summer.

Every month, for the entire school year, each of the 30 students will participate in a range of activities with the seniors, and will each donate $1 from their piggy banks to the Time Out program.

The initiative fits into the Grade 5 curriculum, which introduces the young students to the importance of working with people in the community as well as timelines. But it also emphasizes to students the power of showing how they care, rather than just saying it, said Mathony.

The students, however, probably didn't even realize they were in the throes of education; they were having way too much fun.

Student Ashley Monsen was perched right next to 92-year-old Christine Traeger, her body leaned in and her eyes so focused it was as though she was trying to tap right into Traeger's experienced mind.

"They're telling us a lot about the past, and what Chilliwack was like before all the apartment buildings were everywhere," said Monsen. "It's a lot of fun."

Much better than a textbook.

Student Jaimee Verrecchia's eyes bulged with envy at hearing how 72-year-old Jean Jordan rode horses to her school in rural Saskatchewan, instead of a car.

"I'd love to be able to ride a horse to school," said Verrechia. "I love horses."

Svea Mountenay, 75, thought it was great that the kids were holding a tea party.

"It's kind of a lost thing, I think," said Mountenay.

And Fran Terrell, 86, said that it was a good way for these young kids to see where they will be several years down the road.

But the students weren't the only ones benefitting.

"It's refreshing," said Jordan. "Being around young children makes me reminisce about my own childhood, and it's great to see the new life coming up, the future leaders of our country."

The Time Out program is for seniors who are at risk of isolation and loneliness. It is dedicated to getting seniors out of their homes and into social activities so that they become involved in the community.

The provincial government cut the program's funding in the summer, worth $77,000. However, through the Adopt-a-Senior initiative, the Chilliwack and District Senior Resources Society hopes to save the program.

Sponsorships are $30 a month for a full year.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a Chilliwack senior can contact the society office at 604-793-9979.

kbartel@theprogress.com