Love is in the cards for N.B. senior citizens
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Abhie Maharana, a first-grade student at Parsons Elementary School in North Brunswick, gives MaryAnn Jabs a special Valentine's Day card. He created 100 cards for seniors as part of his 100th Day Project and distributed them at the North Brunswick Senior Housing building on Feb. 12.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Abhie Maharana gave township seniors 100 reasons to smile on Feb. 12.

As part of his 100th Day Project, the Parsons Elementary School first-grader made 100 cards and distributed them to residents of the senior housing building on Hermann Road last week.

"I made posters and I wrote on the posters that I care about seniors and I made a speech," the 7-year-old said.

During his speech,Abhie said he introduced himself, then said he loves his teacher, Joanna Tanzi, and his mom. He said he thanked his principal, Bruce Rothenberg, for supporting him.

He then handed out the cards, which he printed from the computer with the help of his mother, aunt and cousin.

There was a coupon for hugs and kisses inside, along with a handwritten note saying, "I love you guys."

He said he started the project at the beginning of the month.

"They're older than 65 and I care about them so they would like the cards," he said of his idea from the project. "They're growing old and I care about people that are growing old."

He said his own grandparents live in India, and he last saw them in 2005 when his family went to visit them.

"I like to play with them and eat with them and watch TV," he said.

In his class, every student had to do something to mark the 100th day of school, which he said was Feb. 19. Abhie said his friends made 100 stars, grew 100 flowers and made a tree with 50 leaves and 50 branches.

During the first 100 days, Abhie said he "learned about frames and arrows, and we learned about addition and subtraction problems."

Over the remaining days of school, he said, "I want to learn about what my mom learned, that's geography." He also said his mother is going to teach him how to write in Hindi.