Calling For Creative Canton Kids!

 'Snail Mail For Seniors' is a non-profit organization created 4 years ago for the simple purpose of making sure that senior citizens in nursing/assisted living homes receive cards in the mail so they know someone is thinking about them.

You can read my earlier blogs if you'd like to know more about us. We currently have 660 senior citizens in various places around the state that receive our mail, and we have actually touched the lives of many more than that since the recipients change over the years.  We also include a card in the Canton "Meals On Wheels" hot lunch program monthly, which is another 50 (roughly) local senior citizens. I try to send out cards every 2-3 weeks.

So...that is a lot of cards!  Luckily this is made possible by many generous volunteers from all over the area, and many from out of town. The feedback I receive from the Activity Directors in these nursing homes is touching.  Although all the mail is cherished, many mention that the seniors are especially thrilled when they receive something made by children.

While going through my supply of cards over the weekend, I noticed I am almost depleted of cards and pictures from children.  So I am calling out for help!  Here are some ideas:

Before school begins, have your kids and their friends gather around your kitchen table with paper, crayons, markers, stickers (cheap at dollar stores), or magazines to cut out pictures and glue sticks, and ask them to make some cards for lonely elderly people.

Please avoid glitter and do not write: "Get Well' on the cards. They can make a picture and just write something simple inside such as: "Have a nice day", "I am sending you a hug", etc., and write their name and age. Or, they could write a short note telling the senior about themselves.  

This can also be a family project. We have a few families right here in Canton that sit together (yes, Dad too!) and make cards for our seniors.  It is a great way to teach children at a young age to start thinking of others.  

Do you happen to have a bunch of filled-up coloring books you were going to throw away?  How about cutting out the pages, having your child (or you can do it), write their name and age on the page and send them to us!

Something we take for granted would be appreciated and looked at over and over again by an elderly person.  One of the activity directors at a nursing home in Detroit tells me many of her residents have nothing hanging on their walls except the cards / pictures we send. 

Put your children's treasures in a manila envelope (write Snail Mail on front) and drop them off at Waltonwood Assisted Living Home (smaller of the 2 bldgs.) at 2000 N. Canton Center rd., between Ford and Saltz Rd., M-Sat. between the hours of 8:30am - 6:30pm. Tell the person at the front desk you are dropping off items for Snail Mail pick-up. 

Or, items can be mailed to:  Snail Mail For Seniors, P.O. Box 87491, Canton, 48187

If you have any questions, contact me at: snailsmiles@hotmail.com

Please pass this blog to family and friends so we can continue to provide smiles for elderly senior citizens in Michigan. (Visit me on Facebook.)

Thanks!