In my role as the Community Outreach Coordinator, I enjoy doing local activities that give back to others in the community who may be feeling lonely and isolated due to aging, illness, or other life changes. I want to share with you about one of the organizations that I engage with regularly because it brings me so much joy.

Here in Beachwood, Ohio, I have the privilege of being the Chairperson of the Cards for Caring group, which is part of the University Hospitals Bedford networking group. Our group meets about five times a year. We gather during lunchtime and sign at least 200 cards, depending on how many members show up to help! They are just general, “We are thinking about you” cards, that have a note in them about who is sending them the card. We also do holiday cards, when appropriate. We then put 10 cards in an envelope and pass them out at our monthly meeting. This experience is a win for everyone involved! The members can take them back to their facilities, or out in the community to brighten the seniors’ days, the members get to catch up with each other, laugh, and eat their lunch. Before COVID-19 and the pandemic, we had lunch sponsors and hope to get back to that soon!