By Lori Ehde
There's no such thing as too much love and attention for children - or old people for that matter.
The Foster Grandparent program in Luverne Elementary School benefits both ends of the age spectrum while helping teachers at the same time.
Jim Vink, Luverne's only foster grandparent so far, can't say enough good things about the program.
"I really enjoy it," said Vink, who serves as a foster grandparent to Shirley Harrison's kindergarten students.
"What I enjoy the most is the reaction of the kids toward me. Some of them say 'Mr. Vink, I love you.' And that's very rewarding."
The Foster Grandparent program came to Luverne with a $3,600 federal grant through the Rock County Collaborative. The point of the program is to provide additional positive role models in classrooms.
Luverne has funding for 10 foster grandparents, but so far Vink is the only one who applied. Applicants must be 60 years old or older and must have an interest in working with children.
For Vink, who is paid only $2 per hour, it's a dream job. "I just love it," he said. "I just get to be a grandparent to the kids."
The grant specifies that his time be spent with the children - not on clerical work such as photocopying or errands.
In the classroom, he helps small fingers with glue and scissors, and he helps young readers sound out new words as they venture into words and sentences.
During recess, he plays with the students, catching small bodies off the slides and giving them an extra hoist in the air on their way down.
He's been known to defuse student scuffles by reminding them to be kind and to say they're sorry.
"It's my goal to be kind to the kids and help them in any way that I can, mostly by being a loving grandparent," said Vink, whose own grandchildren live on the West Coast. "I hope I can have a positive influence on them."
After suffering a stroke more than a year ago, Vink could no longer drive for Rock County's Heartland Express bus service.
He was left with limited use of his right hand, and his brain was affected in some capacities. "The stroke erased the number system in my brain," he said, for example.
He's had therapy, but he said reading and communicating with the children has helped improve his health.
School counselor Marie Atkinson-Smeins said the program has benefits for the students, teachers and the foster grandparents.
She encourages local seniors to apply.
Interested applicants can call Luverne Elementary School, 283-4497, for more information, or 1-888-205-3770, to apply.