Project encouragement cards:: a local effort
Project encouragement cards:: a local effort
Amid stress scrolling, we came across something on facebook this past week that caught our eye, flowing in a positive direction amidst the sea of worry and uncertainty.
Homemade cards by Jerra Madole
A group has been formed by a local creative in Joplin Missouri. The purpose is to send out thoughtful homemade greeting cards, to quarantined nursing home residents at a time when our local elderly folks can’t receive visitors.
Jerra Madole formed the group after the Jasper County Sherriff’s office made a post about reaching out to local nursing homes. The text of that original post:
Due to the Corona Virus concerns nursing homes stopped visits for the safety of their residents. We saw recently on Facebook for kids at home to please to send drawings or a special message to the residents in the nursing homes, who are truly socially isolated. A little something to let them know we are thinking of them.
We did some research and contacted the local nursing homes to see if this was something they would want, and if it was a potential safety risk. We kept receiving the same answer; the virus can not live on a surface for more than a certain amount of time, and they would disinfect all the letters and drawings before letting any of their residents have contact with it. They all thought it was a good idea and would love to receive those for their residents.
We encourage you to please send drawings, letters and pictures to your local nursing homes to let them know we are thinking of them.
We wanted to have a quick interview with Jerra to talk with her about the effort. Read her replies, and when you’re done, think about taking an hour or two to make and send some cards of your own. We’ve listed out some local nursing homes and their addresses at the bottom of the article!
Hi there Jerra! Who are you?
Hi Mark! I am a stay at home, homeschool mom with a family that loves to create. I’ve always loved to send greeting cards to family and friends. I love humor and if I could make someone smile or laugh, I’ll do it!
I recently worked as a handwriting artist for Punkpost, a snail mail company based out of San Francisco. This experience furthered my love for creating and sending cards and really is what pushed me to have the idea to create Project Encouragement Cards. During my time working for Punkpost, I also was dealing with a lot of stress from helping my step-dad through his cancer journey. Having a creative outlet during that time, helped me through a really stressful situation and gave me some relief. My hope is that allowing other people the opportunity to get creative and use their artistic abilities, will do the same for them. One of the best things we can do in times like these is to focus our attention away from ourselves and onto others.
Tell us about your project. What's the idea?
The idea of Project Encouragement Cards is to allow anyone who wants to use their creativity to make cards, pictures, and letters and send them via snail mail to let the elderly community know we are thinking of them during this time of quarantine.
How did you come up with this?
While sitting at home watching Covid-19 evolve in our community, I saw an opportunity to not only connect seniors isolated in their nursing home facilities, but also provide parents looking for some at home activities for their kids. I thought, this is the perfect combination! Not only will it allow us to show the local elderly we are thinking about them, but also a way to allow kids and families to focus on something positive.
Do people seem to be participating? what's been the response, from both those making cards and those receiving them?
So far, we’ve had several participating and many seem to like the idea. However, we just started the group so, I am hoping the idea will catch-on and keep growing. We have had one nursing home facility give us feedback and said the residents really enjoyed the cards. I have also heard from other facilities and they mentioned that their residents are feeling really lonely right now and would love some communication. I’d love for this group to fill that void.
What's your greatest need right now?
Participation for sure! There are a list of facilities that would like their residents to receive mail. I am looking at a veterans home with 200 residents so, participation is key!
How can community members participate?
Join Project Encouragement Cards on Facebook! Members will be able to see addresses to local facilities and even individual residents that could use some extra encouragement. After you join the group, all you need to do is pick an address or resident, create your card, letter or drawing…add some postage and drop it in the mail! Members are also encouraged to share their creativity by posting pictures in the group to help inspire others.
We thank Jerra and everyone else doing a kind thing right now. Be sure to join the group if you participate… but in case your’e not on facebook, here’s a list of addresses we collected (this does not include the smaller town nursing homes- write to your nearest one if you’re in a more rural area!)
NURSING HOME ADDRESSES:
Nursing home addresses:Spring River
201 south northpark
Joplin, mo 64801
Joplin Gardens
2810 S Jackson Ave,
Joplin, MO 64804
Saint Luke’s Center
1220 E. Fairview Ave.
Carthage, Mo. 64836
Carthage Health and Rehab
1901 Buena Vista Avenue
Carthage, Mo. 64836
Bristol Manor
2131 S. River Street
Carthage, Mo. 64836
Sunny Hills
17562 Imperial Road
Carthage, Mo. 64836
Silver Creek
3325 Texas Avenue
Joplin, Mo. 64804
College View Manor3828 College View Drive
Joplin, Mo. 64801
NHC HEALTHCARE OF JOPLIN
2700 E 34th st
Joplin MO 64804