Residents and students celebrated their new “best buddies” at a reveal party Wednesday at Horizon Village.
The Best Buddies, a group of Morehead State University students, volunteered to be paired with a resident from Horizon Village, an assisted living facility in Morehead. Once they have a partner, they do activities with them every week, in addition to two group-planned events.
“We are just really dedicated to inclusion for those with disabilities or those who feel like they don’t belong,” said Hannah McFarland, leader of the Best Buddies Group. “We’re trying to give them the most normal life as possible; taking them out into the community and giving them opportunities they normally wouldn’t have.”
At Wednesday’s event, residents lined up in the hallway in anticipation to see who their ‘best buddy’ would be. They found each other by wearing matching shirts, then went to do activities together. The students talked, played games and some even helped their buddy get groceries.
“I like them a lot,” said Jimmy Story, resident of Horizon Village. “They help you when you’re lonely or just when you need something; like a friend would.”
Each year, they match participating residents with students for a one-on-one relationship and a sense of community among the “Best Buddy” group.
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