GAHANNA, Ohio — For Harmon Gouhin and his teammates, these conversations are special.

What You Need To Know

  • Six Columbus Academy High School seniors volunteer weekly at the Sunrise Senior Living Center in Gahanna

  • According to the executive director of the center and a resident, they love when the boys come because it brings life into the center 

  • The players believe volunteering together not only gives back to the community but also helps them bond to play better on the court 

“There's never a dull moment. And it's really interesting learning about, like, everybody's lives and having them just tell you about it and you're just listening,” said Columbus Academy High School basketball senior Harmon Gouhin.  

Gouhin is one of six Columbus Academy basketball players who pay a weekly visit to the Sunrise Senior Living Center in Gahanna, where they play card games, color and put puzzles together with the residents. 

“You know, it's really cool to hear different stories, different perspectives on stuff, and it's really good experience,” said Columbus Academy High School basketball senior Theo Falkenhain. 

The visit is part of a volunteer project that seniors at Columbus Academy take part in. And while the goal is to brings smiles to the faces of these senior citizens, the high school seniors say they benefit, too.

“It definitely brings us closer, gives us something to talk about. Coordinate communication, just like basketball,” said Columbus Academy High School basketball senior Cole Spalding.   

Sunrise Senior Living Center resident Dorothy Tanner tells me she loves when the boys come and spend time with her because it gives them an opportunity to share stories. 

“We can give them wisdom and that we like to tell our stories and then they tell us their stories,” said Sunrise Senior Living Center resident Dorothy Tanner. “We can give them wisdom and that we like to tell our stories and then they tell us their stories,” said Sunrise Senior Living Center resident Dorothy Tanner. 

Bringing energy and excitement to the residents, the center’s executive director says the residents look forward to the boys volunteering every week. 

“It just brings in so much energy and so much more life into the community. You hear the laughter, you hear them telling stories. You hear them. It's just so much fun when they're here,” said Sunrise Senior Living Center Carla Steele. 

Knowing they bring joy to the residents at Sunrise Senior Living Center, these high school seniors believe life beyond their sport and connecting with the community is always important.

“You don't know how many lives that you're going to be touching by volunteering and just that overall great thing to do. You know, there's a reason why we're here just to help other people and spread kindness,” said Columbus Academy High School basketball senior Anderson Davis.