Notecard Project Encourages Senior Citizens with Kind Words
By Office of Communication
Posted on April 23, 2020, April 23, 2020

writing card

Putting a card filled with encouraging words or a colorful drawing into the hands of nursing home, assisted living and other senior residents who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic is the goal of a new program from United Way of Tarrant County and its Area Agency on Aging.

The Notecard Project was developed to help combat the social isolation and loneliness that many homebound seniors and long-term care facility residents are facing while unable to see loved ones or leave their residences., according to United Way. As part of the project, United Way established a webpage where community members can go to find the addresses of facilities where the cards are needed and indicate how many they will write. The cards can be mailed or community members can call ahead and make arrangements to deliver to staff at the listed facilities, which are located throughout Tarrant County, including several in Arlington.

Assisted living facilities and nursing homes have closed their doors to visitors due to the spread of coronavirus, and older adults are now unable to frequent the senior centers where their time is typically spent. These changes have directly impacted more than 15,000 Tarrant County residents, according to United Way.

“Anyone in our community has the chance to bring a smile to someone’s face and volunteer from home, and it all starts with a notecard,” says Lauren Kaufman, Director of Community Investment Operations for United Way of Tarrant County. 

Below are some tips from the United Way for taking part in the Notecard Project: 

1) Buy blank notecards or create your own. It’s as easy as folding a piece of paper in half! 

2) Write a message or poem. Remember to be kind and gentle with your words (A few suggestions - “I hope this note brightens your day like it brightened mine!” “Always know that you are important to the world.” “Someone is thinking of you and wishing you well.”)

3) Draw a picture if you can’t find the right words. 

4) Mail or hand-deliver your cards (after calling ahead). Choose a location at the following link and let United Way know how many notecards you plan to write by visiting this site. 

Share good news when you see it. Post on social media using #ArlingtonKindness, #ArlingtonStrong or #LiveUnited4TarrantCounty. You can also email [email protected].

Coronavirus, Kindness Initiative
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