HELENA — Before the COVID-19 closures, the Lewis and Clark Library’s bookmobile served thousands of seniors at assisted living facilities in the county.
Bookmobile Librarian Bretagne Byrd told MTN for many patrons it was also a much needed social interaction.
The library has launched a new program called “Mail To Our Seniors” which asks people to send letters to area seniors to help curb the feeling of isolation they may be experiencing.
“We provide materials, but we also provide a human connection so this is a way we can support our parts of our community that are a little more isolated right now and need that connection,” said Byrd.
People are asked to send letters to one of the assisted living communities in the area.
The letters can be drawings, encouragement cards, handwritten letters, uplifting art, thinking of you cards, or creative postcards.
The library just asks that people make sure the lettering is large and messaging is positive, kind, and thoughtful. It is a one way mail program, and people should not include any requests for reciprocation.
“The community is incredible, and we are really strong and supportive overall and the library is a reflection of that,” said Byrd. “The Library has a lot of strong community connections and we want to strengthen that and continue that right now. Mail just happens to be the only way we can do that right now with our isolated folks.”
Byrd added creating the letters can be a fun, creative way to pass the time while social distancing.
Participating assisted living communities:
Touchmark Life Enrichment
915 Saddle Dr.
Helena, MT 59601
(Drawings, Birthday cards, Staff encouragement cards, thinking of you
cards, handwritten letters, and creative postcards.)
Eagles Manor Office
715 N. Fee St. #43
Helena, MT 59601
(Drawings, encouragement cards, handwritten letters, uplifting art,
thinking of you cards, and creative postcards.)
Hunters Pointe, Activity Director
2801 Colonial Dr.
Helena, MT 59601
(Drawings, encouragement cards, handwritten letters, uplifting art,
thinking of you cards, and creative postcards.)
Edgewood Life Enrichment
3207 Colonial Dr
Helena, MT 59601
(Drawings, encouragement cards, handwritten letters, uplifting art,
thinking of you cards, and creative postcards.)
The Legacy Assisted Living, Activity Director
624 Ptarmigan Ln
Helena, MT 59602
(Drawings, encouragement cards, handwritten letters, uplifting art,
thinking of you cards, and creative postcards.)
Renaissance Senior Care, Administrator
2530 Wildwood Ln
Helena, MT 59601
(Drawings, encouragement cards, handwritten letters, uplifting art,
thinking of you cards, and creative postcards.)
Son Heaven Assisted Living, Activity Director
2540 Ferndale Ln
Helena, MT 59601
(Drawings, encouragement cards, handwritten letters, uplifting art,
thinking of you cards, and creative postcards.)
If you are in Lincoln, Montana there is a decorated and labeled box for Mail To Our Seniors contributions in the Post Office. No postage required. Cards will be picked up on Friday mornings.
