EPHRATA - Second-graders at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School spread some love, and handmade goodies, to the elderly.

Second grade teacher Julia Cantwell said the idea was sparked during a conversation with her 13 students.

"We were talking about gifts of love and I proposed the question to the kids, 'How can we give the gift of love without it being bought?'" she said.

The class brainstormed for a while before hitting on the idea of crafting cards and decorating votive candle holders for the elderly then handing them out - after singing a few Christmas carols, of course.

"They have that beautiful gift that God gave them to sing," Cantwell said.

She called Garden Oasis Assisted Living, located down the street from the school at the Columbia Basin Hospital, and a visit was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Susan Scheib, the community relations coordinator for the Columbia Basin Hospital, said several area students have visited Garden Oasis residents this holiday season, including from Grant and Columbia Ridge elementary schools.

"We get a lot of visits to the residents," Scheib said. "It's really important for them and they love seeing the kids."

Cantwell's goal is to have the Christmas visits spread to other classrooms and become a St. Rose tradition, in line with the school's annual concert and play.

"We do the Christmas presentation for the parents but what about the people in these homes?" Cantwell said. "I think probably the best thing to share is bringing that youth to them and the spirit of Christmas, just letting them know that they are so loved."