Bridging the gap between youths and the elderly is essential for community well-being

When I was young, I couldn’t wait for the grass to grow so I could take my lawn mower out and cut some of my neighbors’ yards. The days it snowed were great opportunities for me to get out my shovel, walk around the neighborhood and seek out members in the community who wanted their snow removed. A few of my friends, on occasion, and I would easily make $25 to $30 a day after school. What I realized was that it wasn’t just the money that really benefited me; it also was the relationships I developed with my neighbors, many of whom were either middle-aged or elderly.