The COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for people of all ages to connect with each other. Social distancing, and the specific danger to older people, have left seniors vulnerable to isolation.
Some local students have been reaching out to seniors through a pen pal program as a way to stay connected and provide levity through these difficult circumstances.
Students from Fremont Union High School District, Mountain View-Los Altos, Palo Alto High, and several charter schools are participating. They are sending letters and emails, as well as artwork and pictures, to local seniors.
Cupertino Rotary is helping facilitate the connections by funding Interact Clubs.
The program is helping enrich the lives of participants on both ends of the pen pal transmissions.
“During this time of chaos and distress, I realized that one of the best ways to give back was to make these feel-good cards for senior citizens,” said Shreya Udupa, a member of Lynbrook Interact.
“District Pen Pals serves as a testament to the creativity and passion of Interactors in spite of obstacles,” Charlize Nguyen added.
This comes just a few weeks after Cupertino Rotary joined with Cupertino’s Poet Laureate program for the annual poetry contest.