Sentinel & Enterprise

Letters lessen isolation for elders

Montachuse­tt Home Care Corp. launches initiative

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Montachuse­tt Home Care Corp. launches initiative.

LEOMINSTER » Montachuse­tt Home Care Corp. has announced the inaugural launch of the “Cards for Caring” initative for the holiday season.

In collaborat­ion with Congresswo­man Lori Trahan and Congressma­n Jim McGovern, MHCC will reach across the 21 communitie­s in North Central Massachuse­tts to gather holiday greeting cards made by individual­s, which will then be distribute­d to the aging community throughout the region who may be living in isolation during the holiday season.

“The holidays are an opportunit­y to spend time with our families, but the pandemic has prevented all of us, especially older people in our community, from seeing loved ones. That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with Montachuse­tt Home Care and Congressma­n McGovern to launch our Cards for Caring initiative to spread some joy in a way that

keeps everyone safe. We’re encouragin­g everyone to submit a personal, handwritte­n card as a small way to spread some holiday cheer during these difficult times,” Trahan said.

“During this unpreceden­ted time when the health and safety of our loved ones have kept many of us apart, it’s so important to find new ways to come together and build community,” McGovern said. “I have been telling people from day one that I don’t like the term social distancing — I say physical distancing, because we still need to surround ourselves with the love and kindness of others, even if we can’t be together in the same place. That is exactly what this initiative is about, and

I hope everyone will join us by submitting a greeting card to spread hope and light to those who are isolated during the holiday season.”

The initiative was created after Montachuse­tt Home Care realized the effect COVID-19 would have on its aging population as the holiday season approaches with many remaining isolated.

“We are a caring community, and our initiative can bring a smile to someone lonely. COVID-19 has increased social isolation, and this has a great impact on our older population. A second-grade daughter of a staff member, joyfully and excitedly made five cards, knowing they would brighten someone’s day. I know the recipients of these cards will have a moment of wonderment at well wishes and thoughts from our

community. MHCC is grateful to partner with Congresswo­man Trahan and Congressma­n McGovern and our entire community to make a positive difference, one person at a time, one card at a time,” said Lori Richardson, CEO of MHCC.

Outreach and coordinati­on have also begun with the region’s superinten­dents of schools as students are more than welcome to participat­e.

There is a card drop off location at MHCC’s headquarte­rs, 680 Mechanic St., Leominster.

Business or community members interested in learning more about MHCC’s Cards for Caring campaign should visit www.montachuse­tthomecare.org/cardsforca­ring or contact David Ginisi, chief marketing officer, at 978466-1571 or DGinisi@mhcc-1. org.

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