Thousands of cards are on their way to Burnaby seniors from students in Burnaby schools.
As part of the Operation Elf program, the City of Burnaby partners with the Intentional Acts of Kindness Foundation and the school district to deliver hand-crafted holiday greetings, drawings, poems and other holiday creations handmade by Burnaby students from kindergarten to Grade 12, according to a press release.
More than 2,000 Burnaby students participated this year.
Burnaby Board of Education chair Bill Brassington said the cards bring happiness to both the students and seniors.
"This is one of many projects in schools that remind us that we are all connected and that acts of kindness are important in creating inclusive communities," Brassington said in the release.
"Burnaby is a city where we look out for each other and care for each other," said Mayor Mike Hurley. "This project is a great example of how our residents step up to connect with and support their neighbours."
The IAK Foundation coordinates the creations' delivery through volunteers who organize the delivery of more than 2,500 cards to care centres and food banks.
Seniors get a silicone bracelet with the message "Loved and Never Alone," along with the card, and students involved in the project receive a bracelet with the message "Kindness Ambassador."
"We found that as simple as these bracelets are, they build community connections and make both the students and seniors feel part of a bigger, more supportive and connected community," said Chris Revitt, manager of park operations for the city and co-founder and volunteer for the IAK Foundation.
"They will see other students or community members out in public wearing the same bracelet and know that they are part of a larger community."
The city's citizen support services department also delivers grocery orders to seniors across Burnaby all through the year.
City volunteers can help seniors shop by phone or in-person through the department, which also arranges visiting sessions to keep seniors company.
For more info on citizen support services, see the city's website.
Hundreds of Burnaby seniors will receive an extra boost of holiday cheer this season, as the City of Burnaby partners once again with the IAK (Intentional Acts of Kindness) Foundation and the Burnaby School District on the Operation Elf program.
— City of Burnaby (@CityofBurnaby) December 20, 2023
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