I dragged my shovel up Mrs. Dupuis's driveway to her stairs. She came to the door with a sweet smile on her aged face and insisted on paying me; I refused.

I was at Mrs. Dupuis's house because I began a program called SASP (Sophomores Assist Seniors Program). We do yardwork for older people (over the age of 65). Our executive board at Ludlow High makes up most of the program's helpers. Fliers are distributed around town, and notices are put in parish bulletins which is how we advertise our program. Those in need contact me and I appoint a helper who lives near them. We perform many tasks, but needless to say, shoveling was the most popular.

It feels great helping out, and my executive board does a great job. Thousands of elderly people injure themselves severely every year by trying to perform strenuous activities. It is refreshing to know that we are saving great people a lot of pain. Wouldn't you want young people to care about you when you are older? Of course you would ... so start a program in your neck of the woods. Elderly people make great friends; they enjoy your company and treasure it. The young and the old have a lot to offer each other. I have learned that through SASP. fl