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Over the last year my friends and I have been making cards to give to the seniors at the local old age homes. We make a total of 200 cards. I do 140 and the other 2 do 30 each. Then we take them down and they get passed out to the seniors in the homes.
We started with Valentines Day and I dropped off our Christmas cards just the week before Christmas.
I feel very passionate about this. My grandmother is in a home and my grandfather spent the last years of his life in a home because we couldn't care for him in our home because of his alzheimer's.
My aunt says that in alot of cases these places can be like insane assylums for elderly orphans. And I see her point. No matter what the staff tries to do alot of these folks are entirely forgotten about by society. Some never get a gift or card for Christmas, Valentines Day, a birthday or any other occasion unless the staff buys it for them.
And this makes me sad.... Really sad....
So I would like to challenge all of you in your various groups to call up the local seniors home and ask to speak to the activity director and see how many residents they have and ask if they would like some Valentine's cards this year. The homes around here usually have about 100 residents. But if you can't get a commitment from your group for enough for everyone then make as many as you can afford the supplies and time for and take those down to be given to the folks that don't get anything. It will make some very deserving people very happy to know that someone cares. Even if the don't know who that person is.
So who will join in my Valentine's RAK for Seniors???? And how many cards will you comit to taking to your local home???
Lets see if we can get 1000 cards made and deliveres by Valentine's Day!!!
This is a great idea! I am up for the challenge. My grandmother spent the last years of her life first in assisted living, then in a nursing home. She was loved every minute, but I know there are those who aren't. Those were not in my area, so I am going to look for on that is.
Thank you for raising the challenge!
What a kind, loving thing to do! Good for you! My grandma was in a nursing home for awhile (like so many others) and we called it a "warehouse for old people". Not all nursing homes are bad and I know that. Even the ones that are wonderful there are many residents who have no family or have been neglected/forgotten by family. Wonderful idea. I'm going to broach it with the ladies I stamp with once a week. Even if they're not up for it, I am.
Thanks for giving me a push in the right direction!
Here's an idea to stretch y'all's kind generosity, if you've got a bigger list than you'd reasonably expect to be able to make full cards for: make 3x3 cards.
A little less time-consuming, a little faster to make, and they could even be used as place cards on a table or tray to add cheer to Valentine's Day dinner.
Not sure if I can play this time, Lori, but it's a great idea, and I'd like to do it sometime this year soon! Will let you know. . . .
What a great idea! My father spent the last decade of his life in nursing homes and my FIL spent the last few years in one. There are a lot of people in those facilities who don't have anyone to send them some cheer.
I'm going to see who I can get to join me locally. And, I'm going to suggest it to my son's school. They have a club that visits the local Benedictine home.
My sister and I have been making cards for the residents of the assisted living facility where my mom lives. There are 90 residents, and we make cards for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. In addition I send over about 10 birthday cards and 10 thinking of you cards each month.
WOW, what a great idea! I am a SU demo and after years of thinking, I finally came up with a group name for me and my downline, a few months ago, that makes me happy - Stampers for Others. I want to use our craft to do exactly the type of thing you are bringing up now. Thank you for making this suggestion. Going to cut and paste your idea to share with all my downline (and give you full credit, of course!).
Bless you for this inspiration!
__________________ Stella MacKay, Independent Demonstrator for Stampin' Up! since 2002
I just posted your plea on my website. I am really inspired by your call to action. Super kudos once again for reminding me what/who are really important. It's people; never things.
__________________ Stella MacKay, Independent Demonstrator for Stampin' Up! since 2002
What a wonderful idea! Since I'm not big on Valentine's Day and I don't have a single heart stamp set (gasp!), I'm thinking I'll try to make some Easter cards instead. This will also give me a bit more time! Thanks again for your post, I hope others read this and follow your lead!
We were asked to sign the cards "Happy Valentines Day from Lori" or something similar.
You gals are all awesome. Thanks for joining in!!!
Post the number of cards you have made here and then add it to the running total we'll start keeping and lets see if we can get to 1000!!!
Hi, I just found your plea... and yes, what a wonderful idea. I work in Activities in a nursing home and our residents love anything given to them. Many do not have families or friends who live close enough to visit them. I love what I do... and I try every day to bring smiles to my Residents faces. I love to make cards with them and for them. Your plan will make many people happy and you all will have the warm fuzzy feeling of making someones day~ you are all special angels and we all can use an angel to make us happy.
__________________ Tammy~ Scatter seeds of kindness everywhere you go; Scatter bits of courtesy~ Watch them grow and grow. Amy R. Raabe
Here's an idea to stretch y'all's kind generosity, if you've got a bigger list than you'd reasonably expect to be able to make full cards for: make 3x3 cards.
A little less time-consuming, a little faster to make, and they could even be used as place cards on a table or tray to add cheer to Valentine's Day dinner.Not sure if I can play this time, Lori, but it's a great idea, and I'd like to do it sometime this year soon! Will let you know. . . .
This is a very good idea. When we take trays to rooms for those that are sick or cannot come out... ohhhh , they would love a little note or card. At Christmas I signed my cards from Santa or a little elf. The elderly really love to hold something in their hands too... and fibers are fun to add to elderly cards because they can feel it, even if they can't see it. I use up fibers, and buttons, and whatever textured cardstock I can use. You all are angels for doing this.
__________________ Tammy~ Scatter seeds of kindness everywhere you go; Scatter bits of courtesy~ Watch them grow and grow. Amy R. Raabe
Even the traditional single sheet, not folded valentines would be great too. That helps save money as well! And I love the idea of textures on the cards too.
Lori, you are a sweet person for doing this, and even better for posting it! I don't know anyone personally in an Assisted Living facility or a Nursing Home, but I think this is brilliant! I love that this is not just for Christmas, too.
Blessings to you and your group for doing this (and to all the others who do it, too) I never thought to do this. I know where all these cards are going I have sitting around, and my stamp club now has a new purpose for a new year!!
Had a gathering with two downline this past Saturday to make the cards for seniors. Our grand total is = 75! I am taking photos and putting them on my blog but not all at once. I'll start today and put one on each day this week. My blog is found at www.StellarStamps.com.
Thanks so much for inspiring this Lori!!!!!!!!
__________________ Stella MacKay, Independent Demonstrator for Stampin' Up! since 2002
even if a person can't get together enough cards for a nursing home, send to single Mom or elderly friends who are alone.. I did it last year and I think its a pleasent surprise, thanks for reminding us
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
Stella,
Thanks so much for taking part! I looked at the 3 designs on your blog and they are lovely. Can't wait to see the others.
I have about 50 cards done myself and I'll post them either on my blog or in my gallery soon. Having computer troubles so.....
Lori
What a great thing you are doing...I would love to do this but I do the soldier cards and I supply a retirment home cards to sell so the employees can have a Christmas Party..also my church bookstore and youth group. I have made over 500 Valentines cards already. I think if I tried to take this on to it would mean NO hours of sleep. Blessings to you for such a GREAT program.
Amber
WOW!!!!
500 cards already and all by yourself!!!
I think you have already done your part. Soldiers are soooo important and bless YOU for looking after them.
Making cards for soldiers is something that I would like to start doing and I know there is a thread for making cards for Canadian soldiers too. I'll have to look into that as well. I did make Christmas cards for soldiers one year and another gal I know looked after getting them there.
I have made 30 more cards tonight and now I'mm off to bed.
Valentines RAK For Seniors
