A Grade 7 student at St. Margaret’s School has organized students at the school to personally hand-write Valentine’s cards for each resident living at Veterans Memorial Lodge.
This week, Lois Delaney Harnett-Shaw delivered 225 cards — many of them hand-made as well — to bring a smile to seniors living in long-term care.
“I heard my mom talk a lot about the pandemic and the restriction placed on seniors living in long-term care,” said Harnett-Shaw. “My heart aches for them, and I hope this gesture will make a difference and bring many smiles.”
Harnett-Shaw, daughter of Times Colonist reporter Cindy Harnett, recruited fellow students from Grade 2 through Grade 7 to help write about half of the cards for the project, which she called Hearts for Happiness.
Over many nights and weekends, Harnett-Shaw enhanced each card to make sure that residents received an equally decorated heart or kind sentiment.
Carol Cluff, 95, a resident at Veterans Memorial Lodge, accepted the cards on behalf of the residents on Friday.
“I think it is so wonderful that someone so young is caring and understanding,” said Cluff. “That she cared so much for seniors to spend her time hand-making cards for every person living here.”
Veterans Memorial Lodge is one of five long-term care communities run by Broadmead Care, a non-profit organization.
