Launched in late March, the Wallingford YMCA’s “Letters of Kindness” project aims to spread hope and support to local high- risk citizens during his pandemic. The campaign delivers student-written letters to patients and elderly residents in self-isolation at Gaylord Hospital and Masonicare.
Delivering upon the organization’s mission, the YMCA strives to strengthen the foundation of the community by uniting people of all ages and backgrounds and by bridging the gap through activities and programs. After meeting together in early March to brainstorm ideas about potential projects, members of YMCA’s leadership team collectively agreed to launch the campaign, along with many other projects, to support the community during this time.
The project members, led by Wallingford YMCA Swim TeamHead Coach Ms. Amber Albe and Aquatics Director Ms. Megan O’Connor, spread the word by calling local institutions, emailing families, and writing articles. Many kids in the community have already participated in the initiative, creating a positive impact on the lives of isolated patients.
Especially during a period of isolation, Covid-19 patients who are quarantined in their rooms have limited social interaction. “I hope that these letters will reach those people in isolation whether it be seniors at Masonicare or individuals who are hospitalized over Gaylord. They don’t have the support of family members and friends who go in and visit; it does leave a void,” Ms. Darrow noted. She hopes that by receiving these letters of hope, lonely patients undergoing tough medical sessions will feel comforted knowing that the whole community supports them.
Grace Furtado ’23, who heard about the project through Ms. Albe, her swim coach, participated in the project by sending in a drawing of two hands forming a heart, complemented by a personal message. Writing the letter, she said, “may take five minutes out of your day, but it can brighten someone else’s whole day. It’s a great thing to do.”
The participants are also able to gain awareness about the impact of Covid-19 on others in their community and form a connection with the recipients of their letters. “I do think that it has a special impact on the community in terms of teaching [the youth] to give back and [to feel] lucky that they are not sitting alone in isolation at this time,” said Ms. Darrow.
