Berni Neal on life, faith and leadership
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Elizabeth Ross, a teacher and author from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is once again facilitating "The Caring Christmas Cards Project" which she started 17 years ago. The purpose is for children to learn about having empathy for lonely people in nursing homes, who rarely have visitors during the holidays. She learned this when she volunteered at them. Thousands of cards have been sent over the years.
She contacts the principals at the local elementary schools and asks if she can bring cards for students to sign for patients. The children write kind notes to them and draw festive pictures. They are delighted when they hear how much the elderly people love and enjoy their cards, and how it lifts their spirits. Ross expanded the project to include different holidays and target specific groups: Veterans' Hospitals, children's hospitals, assisted living programs, hospices, and others.
You can be involved in providing the Christmas Spirit of Jesus' love and compassion, too. Simply buy a box of Christmas cards, and have several family members sign them. Call a nursing home, and drop off the box (or mail it) to the facility. Teachers can have their students make cards for seniors in nursing homes. A volunteer can take the cards there.
The Christ Child will smile on you for bringing His Hope and Love to others.
Marianne Zanko Komek is a freelance journalist whose articles have appeared in the National Catholic Register, the Catholic News Service, Catholic Philly, Joy in Truth, and The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper for the diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey. Her poetry has been featured in the children's magazine, St. Mary's Messenger. The Manhattan School of Music featured her poetry as lyrics for a composition performed there. She has also worked as an editor and editorial assistant for publishers in Manhattan. Marianne is a consecrated member of the International Marian Apostolate of Schoenstatt. She is also a graduate of the Tepeyac Leadership Initiative. In her spare time, she enjoys classical music, experimenting with recipes, and going for walks by the bay in her hometown. Her novel for teenagers, Promises to Theresa, is available on Amazon.
