Kids bring holiday cheer

Every holiday season, Prince of Peace Elementary School in Costa Mesa sends a group of students out to sing for the elderly.

On Wednesday, the private school’s entire third- and fourth-grade classes visited Autumn Years, a rest home for sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease, to harmonize on “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and other favorites.

About a dozen seniors sat on the living room couch, at least one clapping to the rhythm, during the performance. Lay Singh, the activities director for Autumn Years, said the visit was a rare treat.

Autumn Years opened in 1998. The rest home has 32 patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Throughout the year, the home sponsors activities for the patients, but the staff increases the amount of entertainment during the holiday season.

“Our residents totally love having kids by them,” she said.