COEUR d'ALENE — Dawnelle Dutton volunteers weekly at On Site for Seniors to encourage those at the adult day care center to be active.

Thursday, she brought some help.

Ten members of the Lake City Thunder 14U team joined Dutton in playing games with seniors at the nonprofit, faith-based site on Sunset Avenue.

"We just hope we can start bridging that gap," Dutton said.

The girls held hoops for seniors to toss balls through, set up a tee and ball for batting practice outside and filled a small pool with water for target practice.

Seniors enjoyed the exercise hour. Instead of sitting, they were walking, batting, throwing and catching.

Bill Muck, executive director of On Site for Seniors, said he could tell they were excited, invigorated and having a great time.

"You can see the look in their eyes," he said.

If they weren't at On Site, some might be home alone and watching TV, Muck said.

The softball players added some physical and mental stimulation to their day with their exercises.

"This is keeping them engaged. That’s so important," Muck said.

Some of those at the adult day care battle Alzheimer's disease or dementia and have caregivers who spend the day with them.

On Site gives caregivers a break, Muck said, so they can avoid burnout.

"That’s the beauty of it. The caregiver can take a break knowing their loved one is having fun and being cared for so they can do what they need to do to take care of themselves.

"The caregiver wins and the loved one here also wins," Muck said.

Dutton said having the softballers interact with those at On Site was building bonds between generations.

She said the team's visit was "creating that empathy we are losing for our elderly. In this case, many are veterans who fight for this country and deserve as many good days as we can give them."

Raygen Dutton, 14, said being an athlete is about more than playing a game.

"It’s going out and helping your community and giving back to all the people who come out and support you," she said.

Raygen Dutton described the seniors as "super sweet and super nice" and was glad to spend time with them.

"I think it’s just a good experience to have," she said.

Adilyn Wenglikowski, 13, said when her grandfather died, he was suffering from dementia.

It was a difficult time and she fought back tears.

"Being able to give back to other people's families that are going through that means a lot to me," Wenglikowski said.