THUNDER BAY — Dozens of greeting cards from students, staff and faculty have been delivered from Lakehead University to the residents at the Glacier Ridge retirement home.
The outreach is a gesture of kindness at a time when many seniors are unable to see their loved ones because of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Lakehead University International collected more than 70 cards from members of the university community by email from the end of March until April 19.
"We understand most of our seniors in these homes ares unable to have family and friends visit during this time," said International Students Services Coordinator Sara Melvin.
"Having to isolate with minimal contact from anyone can be very lonely. They know they are vulnerable and that must be incredibly scary," Melvin said.
International students created many of the cards, and participated in a video posted to YouTube.
A Lakehead student employee, International Assistant Lahama Naeem, coordinated the project.
"Our students have so much respect for elders, and felt that by providing these caring cards they were able to extend small gestures of kindness to brighten their day and bring a smile to many seniors' faces," Melvin added.
Precautions were taken to ensure it was safe for Glacier Ridge to take delivery of the cards.
They were placed in a folder for two days prior, and the folder was disinfected before being presented to Kaitlyn Hynnes, the lifestyle and programs manager at the retirement residence.
Hynnes also let the folder sit for several days before distributing the cards.
Any retirement homes interested in participating in the initiative may contact Melvin at sscoordinator.intl.@lakeheadu.ca
