How can you brighten the day of an older person during a time of isolation? That is the question posed to her students by Mrs. Laura Maly-Schmidt at the International School of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. She is the Middle Years Programme Coordinator whose parents live in Grinnell. The answer to the question: A cheerful handwritten card or letter!
Mrs. Maly-Schmidt invited the school community to send in hand-written letters, cards, and drawings to brighten the day for nursing facility residents who have not been able to receive visitors. In the space of just two weeks, Mrs. Maly-Schmidt collected over 200 cheerful cards and letters from all sectors of the school, written both in English and in German. These were given to residents of a facility in Germany and residents at The Mayflower Community Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living.
Mayflower received not one, but two, large envelopes filled with messages, artwork, and letters with an abundance of hope, care, concern, and love. In each envelope was this letter addressed to our community:
“Dear Mayflower Community Friends,
When we first heard about an awesome project, called Letters Against Isolation, started by two high school girls, we were inspired. We wondered who we could connect with in our local and global community to share our hope for the future and our support for one another.
I knew about the Mayflower Community from my parents, who live in Grinnell, and from my time as a student at Grinnell College, when I would visit my friend Heather Leith’s grandmother at the Mayflower to enjoy kringla and chatting with ‘Grammy.’ When we heard that we could collaborate with the Mayflower Community on this project, we were delighted.
The cards and letters you find in these envelopes were created by students at the International School of Düsseldorf, from prep and reception students aged 3 and 4 to our seniors in grade 12, as well as from faculty and staff. Our International Women in Business chapter shared the initiative more widely in our community and some of their members participated as well.
So, if your ears have been ringing lately, it’s because lots of people in Dusseldorf, especially at the International School of Düsseldorf, have been thinking and talking about you recently. As many of the students have written, stay strong, think positively, and know you are in our hearts.
With our best regards,
Laura (Maly-Schmidt) and all your friends at the International School of Düsseldorf”
On Friday, April 16th, Mayflower’s Community Life Director, Leslie Jaworski, and Coordinator, Tracy Woolfolk presented the letters to residents in the Health Center and Beebe Assisted Living, explaining who, where, and why this generous act of kindness was bestowed on us. Many of the letters, artwork, and positive thoughts and messages were read aloud and displayed in a group setting, followed by locating the International School of Düsseldorf on a map and visiting their website (https://www.isdedu.de/).
Mayflower residents and staff were moved by the project. After the presentation, letters were distributed to residents with plans to distribute more. In addition, more letters were available for Mayflower’s independent living residents to pick up at the main office in Pearson.
Each encouraging word, drawing, work of art, and poem is appreciated! On behalf of the residents, staff, and families of Mayflower Community, “Danke schön, International School of Düsseldorf and community, for sharing your generous hearts and messages of hope!”
— Leslie Jaworski, Community Life Director