Easter baggies bring smiles

When Madeline Novotny, a Tri-City United ninth grader who attends St. John Lutheran Church, needed a community service project for her confirmation class, she did what she does best: something that makes people smile.

She and her mentor, Candy Kadrlik, made 40 Easter treat bags for the residents of the assisted living facility, Traditions of Montgomery.

“I have a mentoring project for church and I thought this was a good idea because I like making people smile. It makes me happy,” said the daughter of Andrea Flicek and Larry Novotny Jr. “And I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Inside each clear easter bag were chocolates, a notebook and pen, which Kadrlik purchased for the project. They delivered them on Saturday morning to all the residents as they came into the dining hall for lunch.

Kadrlik explained that her job as a mentor is to meet with the confirmands to encourage them to show Christian faith through a type of community service project that they create. “This project was perfect”, she added.

Luella McGillen was one of the recipients of the Easter baggies. Upon seeing the bag at her table, and learning it was handmade from Novotny, a smile came across her face.

“You made this?” she asked. “It is lovely.”