Gratifying Greetings
Drop-off Locations (scroll towards the bottom)
A paper card? Increasingly a relic of former times - pre-email (gasp!)- when a loved one might write a note to send birthday or holiday greetings. I have fond memories of getting newsy cards from my grandmother or aunts with $10 or $25 checks inside. I remember the fun of checking the mailbox, the delight of finding something with my name, and the warm feeling of knowing someone was thinking of me.
Today, when most of our lives center around a single address and visits with friends, family, and classmates are facilitated, yet separated by Zoom and Facetime, don’t you think it’d be nice to get a warm “hug” from the “outside world”? Many of us have a bit of cabin fever, but imagine how you’d feel if you lived alone or were in an “at risk” group who had not been able to go outside at all for a month or more? A single piece of mail with a kind note or hand-drawn picture could brighten your entire day! Give that to someone!
What is Gratifying Greetings? A Project for all Ages - From 3 to 103!
CARDS FOR SENIORS - for Peninsula Volunteers (“Meals on Wheels”), the Elms & More
Gratifying Greetings is a chance to reach out and put a smile on someone’s face. And, spoiler alert, you may find yourself feeling gratified too. Peninsula Volunteers (“Meals on Wheels”) will deliver your cards along with meals to let seniors/disabled know we care.
CARDS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS
Why stop there? San Carlos is an active, engaged community. Most of us probably live too far from the hospitals and other first responder habitats for them to hear us clap or sing. So, to raise their spirits at the end of a long shift, let’s give a boost to our heroic first responders, healthcare workers, EMTs, police, and fire with a note or drawing
You Can Do It!
Whatever your age, get out your crayons, pens, pencils, paints and join us in creating cards for these special people. Are your kids complaining of boredom or have they been glued to screens for too long? Here’s a solution! Have craft supplies you haven’t had time to dig out for a while? A poem that’s been rattling around in your head? No time like the present to put those creative juices to work for a great cause. Even if you insist you failed kindergarten art classes, a nice note or picture cut from a magazine could brighten someone’s day or week. Host a milk & cookies art hour or a cocktail social where you create, socialize, and share. (Free zoom accounts for 40 minutes.)
Gratifying Greeting Cards
Guidelines for Cards for Seniors - Get Started
Get out an 8 1/2 x 11” piece of paper (or several!)
Start drawing, pasting, writing and designing - add a friendly note
IMPORTANT: For the Peninsula Volunteers (“Meals on Wheels”) cards, here are a few guidelines to follow:
• An 81⁄2 x 11 paper folded in half or quarters is an ideal size
Use glue sticks for gluing and not any other type of adhesive.
Do not use glitter, macaroni, or other types of decoration that can easily come off.
Remember, seniors often have poor eyesight. Keep print large and avoid cursive.
Do not sign the cards, not even with your school or company name. It confuses many of our senior clients.
Please avoid irony, slang, puns or jokey cards as it will also confuse our clients. Think of kind, sincere, and joyful messages and images.
Please do not use any language that pertains to any religion.
While it may seem strange to not sign the card, it’s to prevent the elderly from being scared by getting a card from someone they don’t know. [You can sign cards to first responders.]
No macaroni? You can save that for first responder cards. We don’t want elderly falling on a piece that drops off the card.
Sign Up Below (Not required but helpful) - “I Want to Make Someone’s Day”
Send a picture of your favorite creations and I’ll create a gallery of select cards.
Please share on social media and get others involved! Email volunteer-coordinator@sancarloscf.org if you want info to post.
Drop-off Locations:
Look for boxes near the front doors.
San Carlos
Cordes South: 279 Vine St (white box on green bench to left of the front door)
Brittain Acres: 1969 Birch Avenue
Devonshire Canyon: 251 Coronado Ave San Carlos (box outside front door)
16 Camborne Ave.
White Oaks: 124 Garnet Avenue
Redwood Shores
534 Cringle Dr.
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Willing to be a drop-off spot for your neighborhood or homebound or need cards picked up? Email volunteer-coordinator@sancarloscf.org
Gratifying Greetings - FOR YOU AND THE RECIPIENT
Why do I think you may find yourself smiling from your kindness? Let me share a true San Carlos “Good Living” story from his week. One of our neighbors, Gordon Deegan, turned 95 on Tuesday!
While Gordon had to celebrate alone, volunteer Michele DeVries brought him a filet mignon and birthday cake, Amy Stephenson dropped off a balloon and flowers, and budding artist, Sukanya Thakur, left him a handmade card. I’m told Gordon was surprised, but. guess what? Amy told me that Gordon is a lovely man, and that doing this “brightened her day”.
So, come on Bay Area! MAKE THEIR DAYS!!!! Let’s try for 100s of cards.
95th Birthday Card for Gordon Deegan by. Artist Sukanya Thakur
Flowers and Balloon for Gordon’s 95th Birthday!