With Christmas in the air, families are working on coming together to celebrate the holiday with loved ones. Before the awaited day, however, many people may find celebrating difficult due to differences in perspective or just life struggles. The home-school students of Carter County have the covered this year.

Students with the Beta Club came to the Elizabethton Senior Center Wednesday morning to put on a Christmas Party, complete with music, games and a festive atmosphere all around.

Beta Club Sponsor Rebecca Marr said the event came as part of the home-school students’ annual service project.

“The kids fully planned it and organized it,” Marr said.

Once the party officially started at around 10 a.m., various students came up to perform, sometimes with a musical instrument playing Christmas songs and others reciting devotionals or reading from the Bible. Afterwards, party-goers got food and played Bingo using mini marshmallows.

Fourth through eighth grade students participated in the party, bringing their passions and their holiday joy to everyone who attended through their performances.

Marr said the project was one of the ways the students could serve their community in a meaningful way.

“I love that the kids are using their joy to serve people,” she said. “They are bridging the gap between the two generations.”

She said serving senior citizens, especially, gives both groups valuable perspective on society as a whole, which helps them understand each other better.

“The kids got to speak with senior citizens, talk to a generation they can learn from,” Marr said. “Older citizens get to see the younger generation in a new light.”

As students gathered around the seniors and interacted with them, both from the food and games and the entertainment, spirits were high.

“I love seeing kids use their talents to bring joy,” Marr said.

The party, she said, is but one part of how the Beta Club inspires home-schooled students to take an active role in their communities.

“They are a group of students who stand out academically and in service,” she said. “It is all about character, leadership and community service. They go the extra mile.”