It’s one thing for a 7-year-old girl to revive the old art of pen-palling. It’s another thing when her pal is a 73-year-old Covid-bound man living at a senior apartment center. In a story reported by Joel Rippel in the Minneapolis StarTribune (Aug. 22, 2020), the connection originally came about in March through a social media outreach program started by Casia Augustana Apartments.
The good folks at Augustana made a special effort to match their Covid-bound residents with home-bound students. They’ve now set up over 25 such connections. Addie F., a second grader when normally in school, enjoys sending her colorful artwork with a letter to Gary M., an artist, who in turn sends back his own drawings to her. They’ve even exchanged gifts.
Addie’s mother reports that her daughter, who had a rough time after getting pulled from school when the virus hit, gets multiple benefits from this bond. In addition to practicing her writing and art skills, she gets the outside adult connection she so misses being home-bound. Addie relishes not only the expectation of receiving a drawing, but also the excitement once it arrives. She delights in pulling her father and younger brother into the experience, as well.
On the other end, Gary M., an artist who has lived for 18 years in the senior apartments, enjoys the “rewarding” connection, saying he very much looks forward to receiving Addie’s letters and artwork.
At a time when technology fosters instant messaging and e-mails, who says the old-fashioned letter is obsolete? Thank you, folks at Casia Augustana Apartments, and Addie F. and her family for expanding their horizons, and Living Love Large.
This is absolutely amazing! I think all children/seniors should do this! Love it.
Yes, indeed, this is an amazing story. Thanks for reading and your comment!