Mike Gardner sees a lot of himself in Evan Jenson, even if Evan is a few generations younger.

"Take a look," said Gardner, a resident of Inver Grove Heights. "That was us at one time."

Gardner was conversing with Evan, a third-grader at Somerset Elementary School in Mendota Heights after the two had finished reading with each other over the noon hour Thursday, Nov. 6.

The two struck up a friendship a year ago when they were paired together as part of the S.P.I.F.F. Program, which stands for Special Pals In Fun Friendships. The program, which is designed to promote friendships between students and seniors, is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the school.

"They just come and we can do stuff together," said Evan. "It's just fun to read and do stuff with them."

With a laugh, Evan and Gardner recall bowling in the school's gym and playing bingo together during the last year. While the program is for second-graders, Gardner and Evan still read together when he volunteers at the school and see each other occasionally otherwise.

Gardner, a former 3M employee, was making calls to other retirees for 3M C.A.R.E.S., which matches former employees with volunteer opportunities when he came across the program 13 years ago.

"Here I'm calling people for those things and here comes the S.P.I.F.F. folder," he said.

Thinking that it might be something he'd enjoy, he gave it a try - and has been volunteering with the program ever since.

Throughout the program, seniors keep in touch with second-graders through written correspondence, which helps them get to know each other while allowing the children to work on reading and writing. They also participate in a number of special events where they play games together. Some of the seniors who volunteer with the program also elect to come into school during the week and read to students.

The program also encourages seniors to share things about their childhood and life experience with the second-graders, as they are also asked to bring in a picture of themselves when they were in second grade. They also share historical events, which provides another educational opportunity for students.

"The second-graders get to learn about life in the past in a more personal way than in a text book," said second-grade teacher Alex Messicci, who developed the program when he came to the school in 1989.

The idea came from Messicci having the memory of his father, who was a musician, taking time to play at nursing homes. Messicci realized the joy that his father created and wanted to bring something similar into the school.

He said he and second-grade teachers John Anderson, Liz Eul and Mary Nelson have the opportunity to enjoy the preparation they put into the program when the students are matched in November.

"As a teacher you get to sit back and enjoy them become friends," said Messicci.

This year, the students will be matched with their pals at a program at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, which will be attended by Alice Seagren, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.

Millie Gignac of Eagan said she still writes to the first student she was paired with in the program eight years ago.

"I just like meeting the kids, getting to know them and writing to them," she said.

"It's a different kind of day with the children. It's more relaxed," said Sue Doty of Mendota Heights, who has been part of the program for five years. "I think many of the S.P.I.F.F. seniors continue a relationship with the students over the years."

Luis Cano, a third-grader who Doty was paired with last year, said he appreciates the help and companionship of the older adults who volunteer at the school.

"We get to do a lot of stuff like practice spelling," said Luis. "Every time we had a spelling test I always got 100 percent."

Somerset Principal Mary Bowman said the program provides many benefits to students.

"I really am proud of it. I don't think our older pals get much of an opportunity to get into the school," she said. "And not all kids get an opportunity to interact with older folks."

For information on the program, call 651-403-8223.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)

The idea came from Messicci having the memory of his father, who was a musician, taking time to play at nursing homes. Messicci realized the joy that his father created and wanted to bring something similar into the school.

He said he and second-grade teachers John Anderson, Liz Eul and Mary Nelson have the opportunity to enjoy the preparation they put into the program when the students are matched in November.

"As a teacher you get to sit back and enjoy them become friends," said Messicci.

This year, the students will be matched with their pals at a program at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21, which will be attended by Alice Seagren, the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.

Millie Gignac of Eagan said she still writes to the first student she was paired with in the program eight years ago.

"I just like meeting the kids, getting to know them and writing to them," she said.

"It's a different kind of day with the children. It's more relaxed," said Sue Doty of Mendota Heights, who has been part of the program for five years. "I think many of the S.P.I.F.F. seniors continue a relationship with the students over the years."

Luis Cano, a third-grader who Doty was paired with last year, said he appreciates the help and companionship of the older adults who volunteer at the school.

"We get to do a lot of stuff like practice spelling," said Luis. "Every time we had a spelling test I always got 100 percent."

Somerset Principal Mary Bowman said the program provides many benefits to students.

"I really am proud of it. I don't think our older pals get much of an opportunity to get into the school," she said. "And not all kids get an opportunity to interact with older folks."

For information on the program, call 651-403-8223.

(You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.)