“My long term goal is to host a luncheon every year, to honor our veterans as well as to encourage more interaction between teens and our senior citizens which would be both educational, entertaining and create caring and compassion.” – Cristina

As president of the Senior Pals Club, it has become Cristina Madalo’s passion to create more interaction between local teenagers and senior citizens.

As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Cristina Madalo, of Murrieta Valley High School, held an honorary luncheon for senior veterans and their families on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013 at the Murrieta Senior Center

Cristina, a Girl Scout for more than 11 years, gathered the veterans to express appreciation for their dedication and commitment to our country.

“My long term goal is to host a luncheon every year, to honor our veterans as well as to encourage more interaction between teens and our senior citizens which would be both educational, entertaining and create caring and compassion,” Cristina said.

She advertised her event by handing out flyers at senior centers and at the Veterans Day parade. Delicious food, decorations, cake, and a handmade gifts were shared with the special guests. Fundraising in the form of Girl Scout cookie sales and Fall product sales, as well as personal contributions were used to host the event.

She began the luncheon with a short power point presentation in, “tribute to the specific battles and to the lives that were lost during the war; and to thank the veterans for their roles in those battles,” said Cristina. Her luncheon drew more than 50 veterans from the area and Cristina has exciting plans to make event even bigger next year.

The Murrieta Senior Center has happily agreed to host this event each year to show gratitude to their local veterans.

Cristina is a scholar athlete; a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation, as well as lettered athlete in track & field, varsity soccer player, and a member of the ASB leadership team at her high school.