Twenty-eight West Penn elementary school students got a chance to meet their adult pen pals for the first time during a Meet and Greet lunch held recently in the library of the school.

"This is an incredible program," said Michelle Bittner, West Penn teacher and program organizer. "The program provides a way for the children to increase their academic goal of improving letter-writing skills in a fun-filled atmosphere."Bittner stated that this is the second year the program was being held at the school. She decided to start the program last year at West Penn after having its initial start 15 years ago in the Tamaqua Elementary School's enrichment program. To acquire safe pen pals for the children, she contacted the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)."This program provides both students and seniors avenues of learning and social involvement," said Carol Bowen, Director of RSVP of Schuylkill County."It has improved their writing tremendously," added Bittner, "learning that different generations are not that different from them."She noted the children's enthusiasm, stressing they can't wait to read their letters.Bowen pointed out that, since 1984, RSVP has provided opportunities for people 55 and over to make a difference in their community through volunteer service."These volunteers contribute anywhere from a few to over twenty hours per week, serving through schools, day care centers, hospitals, environmental and other nonprofit and public organizations to help meet critical community needs," Bowen said.She added that the RSVP program offers seniors maximum flexibility and choice to its volunteers, by matching the personal interests and skills of older Americans with opportunities to help solve community problems and help with community organizations where volunteers are placed.Before the Meet and Greet, the students only knew their senior pen pal initials, while the senior pen pal's only knew the student's first name."We both enjoy many similar things, such as cheering for the Steelers football team, reading and enjoying the same action movies," said Tyler Disbrow, 11, pen pal of Patrick Conner of West Penn.Holly Wagner's pen pal, Helene DeAngelo, a past paraprofessional and Tamaqua Library volunteer from Tamaqua, said, "I really missed interacting with kids."Helene and 12-year-old Holly both love animals and playing music."It is great to see life through my pen pal's letters. I get to be a kid again," said Conner, who's been an RSVP pen pal for three years.