For the seven Aldergrove seniors receiving personalized messages from children in this community, what is soon to arrive in the mail will provide a glimpse back in time.
United Way Lower Mainland (UWLM) has launched an Intergenerational Postcard Club this August, where handwritten correspondence will be the main mode of communication.
Nine children arrived at the athletic park with a parent Thursday, Aug. 6 to decorate their first postcard to their older pen pal.
鈥淔or many of them, it was their first time ever writing a postcard,鈥� said Aldergrove organizer Val Hiebert, an United Way community builder.
鈥淪ome of them did not know what a postcard was,鈥� she remarked.
Families arrived at a picnic shelter full of newly-purchased art kits, blank postcards, and postage stamps paid for by the non-profit.
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Young members decorated the front of the postcard with the artwork of their choosing.
Seven-year-old Mackenzie Cerf drew a rainbow overlooking a smiling bunny rabbit with two carrots at its side.
On the back of her note she began a conversation.
鈥淪ome children told their pen pal about their pet, others let their new friends know what they were feeling or all the fun things they did this summer,鈥� Hiebert explained.
Bringing back the lost art of snail-mail was just one positive of the United Way pilot program, Hiebert said 鈥� the main benefit being battling the isolation Aldergrove seniors are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淪ome of these seniors have been keeping their distance from people,鈥� Hiebert said.
鈥淓ven having a postcard connection can continue to build resilience here in Aldergrove 鈥� throughout the generations.鈥�
Aldergrove鈥檚 Postcard Club! Connecting seniors and kids in the community! 鉂わ笍鉂わ笍鉂わ笍 email Val from United Way at VALH@UWLM.CA to register. Please share.
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One senior, who moved in May, was so eager to be involved in the postcard project that she reached out from Vancouver.
鈥淢y heart is still in Aldergrove,鈥� she told the organizer.
Hiebert let her join 鈥� because 鈥渉er heart is here,鈥� she told the Star.
