NEWBURYPORT — Looking to make sure seniors feel the love this February, the Newburyport Public Library is encouraging the community to come in and make Valentine’s Day cards for them.
“I feel that it’s important to keep our homebound seniors feeling included during these seasonal holidays,” Council on Aging Program Director Mary Kelly said.
The program began Monday, and is set to go until Feb. 5. All cards will be donated to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program in collaboration with the Senior/Community Center.
The all-ages program features two stations set up in the library to make cards; one in the reference area while the other is in the teen loft. Supplies will be provided, according to library officials.
There will also be two children’s programs specifically for card-making, on Jan. 20 and Feb. 3.
Head of Children’s and Teen Services Allison Privitera credited Teen Service Librarian Kristen Young for coming up with the idea.
“She really wanted to do something in her department, something that would brighten people’s day,” Privitera said.
Less than two days in to the program the library was already up to 11 cards.
“I have heard we’ve had some takers upstairs, and actually the card-making station replaced our gift-wrapping station. It was there for the holidays, so it’s kind of that nice continuity. People who took advantage of the gift-wrapping station will hopefully see that we have something new going on,” Privitera said.
Newburyport resident Jeanette Isabella, 82, said she thinks the cards are a wonderful idea.
“A lot of elders are homebound and one of the things that we don’t get now is mail. Everything is email and computer. And so to get an actual piece of mail, my generation, it’s a treat. So I think it’s fabulous that they’re doing that,” Isabella said.
She said that she understands how important simple communications can be.
“Here, we send out notes to people who are having surgery or they’re sick or something. Another hand note is a way to stay in touch with people who are going through a little whatever. It’s nice to send those notes, and it’s nice to receive them,” Isabella said.
Newburyport resident and local birder Sue McGrath, 71, said she thinks the program will help recipients as well as those writing the cards.
“It is just vital for both ends. It’s great for the kids to be creative, make something that they know would brighten someone’s day. And on the other end, the recipient gets a little heart flutter because someone’s thinking about them,” McGrath said.
She said she’s seen first-hand the rewards of intergenerational collaboration.
“I’ve done intergenerational birding programs where someone brings a grandchild or a great nephew or something, and the exchange between the two of them at the program is so beneficial,” McGrath said.
Kelly said she was grateful that the library is hosting the program.
“I love the idea that young people are understanding the importance of keeping that connection alive and the generational connection alive,” Kelly said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.