A band of Santas

It was difficult to see who was more excited, the residents of Cambridge House or the teenagers who played Santa Claus.

Members of the Maiden High School band visited the assisted-living home Wednesday evening. They didn't bring their instruments to give a concert.

They brought their hearts, arms for hugs and plenty of smiles. And presents.

Band members gave every resident a present.

"This is so sweet," said Bina Coffey, a resident. "It's so nice. I sincerely appreciate it."

Bina said thank you to every band member she saw in the halls.

Many of the people who live at Cambridge House came into the halls to talk to the teens. There was lots of hugging going on.

It had an effect on young and old alike.

"They started crying," said Kimberly Cook, who plays clarinet in the band. "One said 'It was the first present I've had in a long time'."

"I almost cried," admitted Isaiah Henderson, trumpet player.

Two lines repeated often:

"I can't quit smiling."

"I want to hug them all."

The band members got their wish.

Some residents used walkers. Some wheelchairs. Others strode slowly among the teens. They didn't try to hide their joy.

"You are so wonderful." "We appreciate you so much." And, "You are so sweet. Thank you."

"It was Janice's idea," said Band Director Christopher Caldwell.

Janice Mayo is the mother of Theajah Mayo, a member of the color guard.

"We thought it would be a great thing for the band. We have fundraising all the time and ask for support, so it's important for us to give back to the community," Caldwell said.

"We know that for many residents, this is their Christmas."

The project was placed in the hands of student leader Jacob Richards. He's a senior and plays alto saxophone. He organized the event.

Every band member created a box filled with small items. Personal grooming aids, stuffed animals, crossword puzzles, candy, all sorts of things were in the Christmas-wrapped boxes.

Many presents contained items requested by Cambridge residents.

"We have 60 boxes, one for each band member," Richard said. "It worked out great."

The gathering was clothed in mutual admiration.

Shaqwareya Stinson is one of the teens who repeated, "I want to hug them all. They're so cute," she said of the residents.

The teens were energized. They'll need that energy next semester when the band returns to competition. A planned concert festival has the band in Grade 6, the highest rating.

Then in July, it's off to Washington, D.C., to march in the Independence Day parade.

"We're the only band invited from North Carolina," Caldwell said.

But the merry band won't soon forget the day they played Santa Claus.

"This means a lot," said Rebecca Floyd, the clarinet section leader.

"It's great that we're actually getting out and helping."

She and Richard were standing with the group. Another resident came up.

They got hugs and "Thank you so much. Merry Christmas."

Who was there

Members of the Maiden High School Band who visited Cambridge House were:

Jacob Richard

Isaiah Henderson

Kim Cook

Rebecca Floyd

Brian Bumgarner

Taylor Lowman

Wesley Butterfield

Amber Perry

Dena Baez

Theajah Mayo

Katelyn Ward

Shaqwareya Stinson

Erin Mayo

Matt Cook

Montaira Perry

What they said

"I just wanted to tell you how much that this service project has impacted me. I have spent many hours the last few weeks organizing this project and getting it together, and all of these hours were definitely worth it today. The satisfaction that I received after seeing all of these people look so happy was absolutely amazing. All of the work that I put in was definitely worth it! Our band has worked really hard on this project and I am so proud of the work that they have done!"
— Jacob Richard
Alto Saxophone Player/Student Staff Coordinator

"It was a pleasure to see all the smiles on their faces. I'm glad we could give them a better Christmas than they would have had."
— Taylor Lowman
Tuba player

"This is for me? Oh, thank you."
— Ruth Nordwick
Cambridge resident

"This is so nice. You are so sweet. Let me give you a hug."
— Peggy Bolick
Cambridge resident

"These kids are great, they're wonderful. It's so good what they've done."
— Janice Mayo
Band mom

Volunteer pitches in

Gabriel Church isn't in the Maiden High band, but he volunteered to be at Cambridge House.

His grandmother, Sue Dydek, works at Cambridge. Gabriel is staying with her until the school year is over.

His dad, Joey Church, is in the Air Force. He's currently stationed in Qatar.

"He came home from Afghanistan for a while, then was reassigned," said Gabriel, a Jacob Fork Middle School student.

When this school year is up, Gabriel will join his father in Germany at Ramstein Air Base.

"I'll be one of the Ramstein Rams," he said of the prospect of going to the American middle school on base.

Gabriel is used to moving around. "I like seeing places," he said, "but it's hard leaving friends."

He made some friends at Cambridge House on Wednesday.

"I was drafted," Gabriel said of his visit. Grandmother brought him. But he didn't mind.

"It's fun to be with people who are happy," he said.

He wishes he could be with his dad on Christmas, but he has a good perspective on military life.

"We'll be together when we get to Germany," he said. "That'll be great."