Valley seniors enjoy time in local classrooms

The minute Billie Blanchard walks into the Alaska Job Corps/Chugiak Childrens Services class, she knows she is making a difference.

"If you could see those children's eyes light up and their faces light up, you'd be amazed," Blanchard said. "They all say, 'Grandma Billie, Grandma Billie."

Blanchard isn't the children's grandparent, but she is a volunteer with the Foster Grandparent program. She is one of two Valley seniors giving their time to help children.

"You see that you have a really good influence in the lives of kids, and also their parents," Blanchard said. "It makes me feel good about myself and about what I'm doing."

Blanchard volunteers five days a week, four hours a day in the Foster Grandparent program.

Sydney Dodge is another foster grandparent, having worked with children for the last 20 years after retirement from the judicial system. She spends two days a week at Big Lake Elementary, helping children with math problems, helping the teacher and just serving as an extra adult first- and second-grade classrooms.

"I worked for 30 years and when I retired, I wanted something to do," Dodge said. "I get to get out into the world and have associations with middle-age people, like the teachers. I'm 82 now. I feel like what I'm doing is good for my community."

Dodge said other seniors would probably love working with kids, but there is one hurdle for many.

"Mainly, it's a transportation thing," Dodge said. "A lot of the seniors can't get around as easily as they'd like."