It has been 15 years since senior citizens first began volunteering in elementary school classrooms in Quaker Valley.

As organizer of Quaker Valley's Generations Together, Polly Will has enjoyed overseeing the interactions between some of the area's younger and older residents.

"The purpose of the program is to foster positive relationships between students and older adults," Will said.

Senior citizens who live in the Quaker Valley communities volunteer, on average, one day a week where they read to students, help with assignments, teach spelling and share stories.

Will said some stories have come to life. A volunteer last year told students that her daughter was a cowgirl out West.

"When the daughter was in town, she came and visited the students," Will said.

Like any school volunteer, Generations Together participants are subject to background checks and proper clearances, which are paid for by the school district, Will said.

But once they're cleared, Will said many volunteers return.

"Many of our volunteers enjoy sharing stories and helping the students," Will said. "They enjoy it so much that many of them come back year after year."

How involved the volunteers become depends on them.

"We ask that the volunteers come in one day a week," Will said. "Many of them find that they enjoy it so much that they want to schedule more visits each week."

Will works around the schedules of the volunteers and elementary school teachers.

As the program continues to grow, Will said she hopes to attract more volunteers from the school district community. She welcomes new volunteers anytime in the year.

For more information, contact Will at 412-749-3605.