Nan Natuck, 99, smiled at the young girl and picked up a tube of red paint to begin working on another decoration.

"I'm going to keep this forever and ever," she said. "But I want to make one to give my grandson."

Mimi and other students meet with the residents of Paul's Run Retirement Center in Northeast Philadelphia every Monday.

The group, called Acts of Kindness, was begun in November by English teacher Lynne Davis. She recruited students from her classes, mostly sophomores, and a few others who heard about the group. Their first project involved raising money for the Northeast Animal Rescue.

But since January, the students have walked the short distance up Bustleton Avenue after dismissal to spend about an hour at the retirement center, where residents eagerly await the students' arrival.

"These kids are all stars," Davis said. "They might not be in the highest scholastic programs or winners of sports championships, but they definitely stand out."

Although the students get community service credits for participating in the club, many had already met their quotas before going to Paul's Run.

Some students, such as Olla Giha and Shqiponja Hoxhaj said they enjoyed volunteering because they have families in other countries.

"I don't get to spend time with my grandparents, since they live in Egypt," said Giha. "But everyone here is so much fun."

Davis said that she got the idea to start Acts of Kindness from an assignment she gave one of her English classes.

"I asked everyone to go out and do something nice for someone they wouldn't normally do . . . and to write about it," Davis said. "I was surprised that the students actually enjoyed it, even the shy ones.

"The first time we came here, I was so heartwarmed by how great these kids are, that I actually cried."

Lois Rivera, Mimi's brother, said, "We always make you cry!" as the students around him nodded.

Davis is so happy with the program that she dreams of being able to make it a high school course.

In one of their last gatherings before the end of the project, the students talked with the retirees about differences between generations.

Charlie Haimovitz, 85, talked to student Michell Gulzer about the time he spent in the Navy, and how he's an experienced Hollywood canteen dancer, referring to the servicemen's clubs where celebrities volunteered during World War II.

"What's a canteen dancer?" asked Jithin Kurian, a senior at George Washington.

"Don't believe a word he says!" teased Nan, from across the table.

As she worked carefully on the present for her grandson, Nan noted that it was one of their last visits.

"We need a picture together," she said.

"Next time I'll bring a camera," Mimi said. "That way I can put it on my MySpace." Nan looked up from her work and said, "You know what? I think you're right."