The holidays are associated with togetherness, love and warm wishes. But for some, it can be one of the loneliest times of year. For our Long Island local senior citizens who spend the holiday season alone, the Town of Smithtown is inviting our youth to write them holiday cards.
Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim suggests that this can be a productive and enjoyable activity for all ages.
“Teaching our youth to connect with our wiser, elder generations through kindness with something as simple as sending a holiday greeting card to a local resident, can be equally rewarding for young people and their parents.”
Commack High Schools Young Adult Work Based Learning program will be participating by making cards this coming week.
“We are happy to connect our students with seniors in the community that may not have someone to see during the holidays. It’s a fun activity for the kids and teachers and will bring smiles to the seniors,” said Danielle McNally, a Teacher Assistant in Commack’s YA Workplace Learning Program.
Cards are asked to be sent in by the holidays so that the Town can deliver to senior centers and local nursing homes on time. Hanukkah cards are asked to arrive prior to December 19.
Christmas and New Year’s cards are asked to arrive by December 22.
Families can download card templates on the Smithtown website, www.smithtownny.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/520.
After beautifully decorating your cards, you can email them to SPIO@smithtown.gov or hand-deliver the cards to Town Hall, 99 W. Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787.
The email subject line should include “Holiday Cards for Seniors.” Hand deliveries should have cards in an envelope addressed to “Holiday Cards for Seniors – Attn: the Supervisors Office.”
With the cards, participating locals are welcome to include drawings, pictures and pen pal-style letters.
Wish everyone a happy holiday season this year, including those in your community you may not know, in the spirit of togetherness!
Contact The Town of Smithtown for more information, (631) 360-7600.
