Healthy Lee invites the Southwest Florida community to participate in Kids with Compassion, encouraging local children to create compassionate artwork and cards to send virtually to area seniors in assisted living, nursing homes, memory care and other senior facilities.
Working in partnership with The School District of Lee County, Healthy Lee’s latest initiative is designed to deliver virtual smiles, engaging students with a fun activity to look forward to at home, while also warming the hearts of seniors who are unable to have visitors or interact closely at this time. Healthy Lee partnered with Priority Marketing to develop a website at KidsWithCompassion.org, which helps connects children and seniors by allowing children to submit artwork or volunteer virtual time to local seniors.
“Kids with Compassion provides an avenue for children and families to help raise the spirits of those who may be feeling lonely or isolated during this time of social distancing and heightened safety precautions,” said Gary Griffin, chairman of Healthy Lee. “It’s a simple, fun and safe way to keep the kids involved while bringing joy to a senior community who needs these children so much right now.”
To participate, children can create a card/artwork with a hopeful or funny message. Parents or guardians can then snap a photo of the “card,” or scan it to at least 300 DPI, and upload it at KidsWithCompassion.org. Area senior facilities will have access to the gallery where they can print and provide the cards for their residents to enjoy.
In addition to submitting virtual artwork, children and seniors can also register to be assigned to a pen pal at a local senior living community. Connections can be made via phone, video chat or pen and paper.
To learn more about Healthy Lee’s Kids with Compassion initiative, or to submit artwork or sign up for a pen pal, visit KidsWithCompassion.org.
To become a sponsor of this project, or to register a senior facility to participate, contact Cheryl.Schlichte@LeeHealth.org.
About Healthy Lee
Comprised of more than 300 Lee County businesses and organizations, the Healthy Lee initiative reflects Lee County’s comprehensive sustainability strategy through promoting the integration of healthy lifestyle choices into the daily routines of the community of Lee County. The movement promotes collaborative partnerships and seeks to provide the resources, tools and knowledge to empower the community to make exercise, nutrition and well-being a priority. For more information, visit www.HealthyLee.com.
