BY ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
An area nonprofit wants a simple message to leave a lasting impact.
The NEPA Aging Network Alliance, consisting of members from the health care, human services, legal and financial fields, recently started a Cards of Kindness project to help brighten the days of area seniors.
“As they get older, they start to lose family members and friends, which leads to depression and isolation,” Kristen Scott, vice president of the alliance, said. “It’s harder for them to leave their homes and socialize, so we want to reach out to them.”
The alliance plans to make more than 1,000 cards that will be distributed over several months to nursing homes, hospitals and homebound seniors.
The cards will feature kind words, inspirational quotes or messages of support. Individuals or groups interested in sponsoring a card or those who would like to request one for a senior may contact the alliance at nepaagingsecretary@gmail.com.
“We hope the cards will make them feel good, worthy and important,” Scott said. “It may turn their thoughts around for the day or even longer.”
There are more than 40 members in the alliance, and the group also plans to reach out to schools, youth groups, Scout troops and other organizations.
The Carbondale Area varsity baseball team plans to participate in the project.
“It’s the right thing to do,” head coach Stephen Moro said. “You have to respect your elders.”
Moro said he feels the messages in the cards will benefit everyone involved. “I think it will have a positive impact on the student-athletes and senior citizens,” he said.
Alliance President Hope Wormuth said she believes the cards will have a significant effect in today’s high-tech age. “Many seniors have children who live outside the area and no one sends a letter anymore. Everyone texts,” she said. “A handwritten letter goes a long way; it’s more sentimental.”
Contact the writer: rtomkavage@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5365
