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Foster grandparent celebrated for dedication to kids

Students, teachers laud Raia for service upon her retirement

Christine Raia has held several jobs over her lifetime -- at the Sylvania factory, Boyer Candies and Giant Eagle -- but when she retired in May, for the fourth time, the 96-year-old was moved to tears by the outpouring of support from her family, friends and the youngsters whom she has taken under her wing in her role as a foster grandparent.

To celebrate her retirement and her soon to be 97th birthday (July 2), Raia's family joined faculty, staff and students at Juniata Elementary School for a surprise party May 31. When Raia entered the school gym to see everyone gathered, she stopped inside the door as tears pooled in her eyes and a few rolled down her cheeks. She didn't get a chance to stand idle for long, though, as soon she was showered in hugs from well wishers.

Raia has been a very dedicated foster grandparent through Blair Senior Services for more than 10 years, said Alyssa Key, volunteer program coordinator.

"She is so dedicated to the program and to the students and school faculty she works with," Key said. "She will certainly leave a lasting impact."

Key said because Raia was retiring and her birthday was near, a celebration for both seemed in order.

The party included cupcakes, balloons and dozens of hugs from the youngsters she's worked hard to help.

Seated in a rocking chair facing the students she's worked with, Raia said she was overwhelmed.

"I have enjoyed every year that I have worked, especially at Juniata," she said.

She also enjoyed her time at Logan Daycare, she said, where she worked for three years before taking on the Juniata assignment.

At the daycare, she took care of babies.

"I love working with babies -- you can hold them, love them and then you can give them back," she said with a grin.

While at Juniata, she worked with four kindergarten classes, helping both the students and the teachers.

Dawn Routch, a kindergarten teacher Raia worked with, said Raia was a dedicated, hard worker who helped out just like a teacher's aide.

Raia was shared between all the classes, so each teacher had her for a day, Routch said.

Raia would help reinforce what students were being taught, working one-on-one with them in academics. She also read to students and helped them in any way she could.

"She acts as a real grandma to them," Routch said. "She practices all the skills that a grandma would practice at home."

Routch was a teacher at Wright Elementary School and moved to the Juniata school the same year that Raia started.

"I'm grateful for the friendship I had with her because I worked with her for seven years," Routch said.

For her part, Raia said she enjoyed being in the classrooms every day because she could tell the kids needed the help.

"I enjoy being with them and helping them with their classwork," she said.

Routch said Raia was firm and consistent with the students.

"She is perfect with them, they love to work with her," Routch said.

To the teachers, she was vital to them and would assist with anything they needed.

Raia would be at the school at 7:35 a.m. every day to help teachers prepare classrooms before the kids came.

"She helps us be prepared for each day that we have her. I would only have her Mondays, but I would save things for her to do," Routch said.

Raia's son, Bill, who was also on hand for the party, said she might be retiring now, but she is not one to stay still for long. If not for her legs, she would still be a volunteer, he said. When she is not working, Bill said his mom enjoys going to casinos with her friends.

"She is a strong, independent person even at her age," he said.

Jackie Rollo of Blair Senior Services said all of the grandparents play integral roles in the programs.

"All of our volunteers, despite their age, it is amazing the wisdom that they have," she said. "Volunteering just gives them a purpose in life that they need."

Key said she is grateful for the work Raia put into helping others.

"We have appreciated all the years of service that she has given to us as part of the program and to all these little ones," Key said.

Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith can be reached at 814-946-7535.