When Karen Long from the 91原创 Volunteer Bureau reached out to Kristine Waddell, a teacher at Betty Gilbert Middle School, about making Valentine鈥檚 Day cards for Jackman Manor residents, Waddell didn鈥檛 have to think twice about saying yes.
鈥淜aren knew that we had made personalized Christmas cards for the residents for the past three years and she wanted to see if we would be interested in making Valentine鈥檚 Day cards as well,鈥� Waddell explained. 鈥淲e were fortunate enough to take some students to hand deliver the cards on two of those occasions.鈥�
Waddell leads a community-oriented school group called The Raptors, who meet to gain skills in giving back and building local pride.
She said her class welcomed another opportunity to connect with these very important members of their community and let them know they continue to be in people鈥檚 thoughts.
鈥淪ending some cheerful messages to the residents is a wonderful way for our students to demonstrate kindness beyond our school community,鈥� Waddell explained. 鈥淥ur Raptor Trait for the month of February is kindness.鈥�
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She said Valentine鈥檚 Day is always a nice opportunity to let people know someone is thinking of them.
鈥淭his year, due to increased isolation from loved ones, it is even more important to ensure people know they are in our thoughts,鈥� Waddell added. 鈥淲e hope that this small gesture will bring some joy to the recipients.鈥�
The students who prepared the cards were very happy to be able to participate 鈥� with some specifically choosing the residents that they remembered making the Christmas cards for.
鈥淚t was wonderful to witness the care they took to craft personalized messages as they took the responsibility of spreading some love to the residents very seriously,鈥� Waddell said.
A few Grade 8 students reflected on their visit to Jackman Manor two years ago and the impact that experience had for both themselves and the residents.
In total, 87 Valentine鈥檚 Day cards were made by Betty Gilbert students and dropped off just in time for Feb. 14 by Long.
鈥淲e hope the residents enjoy receiving their cards and that they know they are in our thoughts during this difficult time,鈥� Waddell said.
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