Southwest Virginia AARP Chapters blasting cards to those in need

Annually the Southwest Roanoke AARP Chapter #4652 and the Eureka Chapter #0514, plan and implement a joint chapter picnic.  This year that picnic was done via a Zoom virtual meeting with a focus on fun with a purpose.  Out of a discussion about how Chapter members could have an impactful and meaningful community outreach project in these times of social distancing, came the idea of doing a card blast of thinking of you cards to be sent to residents of a local long-term care facility.

The two chapters under the leadership of Priscilla Casey #4652 and Mary Terry #0514, created hundreds of cards.  They were delivered in a successfully executed "social distancing card drop," by Chapter President Casey and Joyce Williams, Chapter secretary and AARP Virginia State President, to patients at the Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Receiving the cards was Shannon Colbert, Staff Activity Director at the facility who was overwhelmed with gratitude when handed the beautifully decorated box of cards.

The two Chapters soon planned another card blast project and sent thank you notes to veterans at the Virginia Veterans Center in Salem on Veterans' Day, Nov. 11.  Some members of the Chapters participated in the card making seminar held virtually on Ethel Percy Andrus' birthday and in her honor.  Pictures included with this article include some of the students that Jackie Robinson helps tutor in an educational pod of a private school with which she volunteers. The students were very excited to participate in the project.  Robinson chairs the Community Service, the Legislative, and the Public Relations Committees of the Eureka Chapter. 

Also underway are plans for a Christmas card blast to occur in December targeting those in long-term care facilities again, particularly those that have little or no support or contact with family or friends during that time of year.