Cratice Boyd had a pleasant afternoon yesterday.

She resides at the Cedars of Austin, and after lunch Wednesday she was able to stop by a concert right down the hall.

First grade students from Austin Catholic Schools Elementary visited the retirement community to sing Christmas carols to the residents.

“I think it is very nice that they came. It is quite lovely… and they are so cute,” Boyd said as young voices sang Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer in the background.

ACES Director Mary Holtorf said this is one of several community service projects students take part in for Advent.

“It is nice during the Advent season to go out and do some community outreach,” Holtorf said. “The students will hopefully entertain and bring some joy to the residents.”

Norma Shoeneck was another audience-member at the performance.

“It’s very nice. You bet it is,” she said.

ACES students are taking part in a variety of projects this Advent season. Middle and high school students have adopted families in need to provide them with gifts; third graders are collecting socks and mittens on a Christmas tree; the preschool is collecting items for the Red Cross Personal Care Shelf; kindergarten students are selling dog biscuits to benefit the Mower County Humane Society; many students will also ring bells for the Salvation Army.

“We are trying to share with the students that the Advent season is about giving more than receiving,” Holtorf said.

Advent is a season observed in many Christian churches. It is a time of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity at Christmas.

“We hope our actions will help those who are truly in need and will show our students the true meaning of Christmas,” Holtorf said.