Hillsboro girls’ basketball team members work on an oversized Valentine’s Day card for residents of Parkside Homes.
Team brightens life for seniors
Staff writer
Residents of Parkside Homes might be stuck inside because of bad weather and COVID-19 protocols, but their days are a little brighter knowing someone out there is thinking about them.
The Hillsboro girls’ basketball team made them a cheerful Valentine’s Day poster to let them know they are not forgotten.
Coach Nathan Hiebert said he learned about an effort by Prairie View to do something for area seniors through an announcement of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce.
“I got that information,” Hiebert said. “I had three senior girls, Tuesday Weisbeck, Dani Klein, and Kinsey Kleiner, who wanted to create the card, and all the girls were eager to sign it. COVID’s changed a lot of things this year, and we’re always looking for ways to make a difference.”
Hiebert said he’s always looking for ways Hillsboro students can make a difference.
“I thought this was a great way for our girls to serve — this fit really well,” he said.
The girls were quick to make the poster, he said. He found out about Prairie View’s initiative after school Wednesday. The girls made the poster immediately, and the poster was sent to Prairie View Thursday.
“I hope more people find out about it and help out,” Hiebert said.
The effort was part of Prairie View’s “Letters for Seniors” initiative.
Prairie View spokesman Sara Lyon said the agency has partnered with numerous long-term care facilities in central and south central Kansas to deliver notes of encouragement, drawings, and poetry to nursing home residents.
“With visitor restrictions still in place, the feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation have become overwhelming for some older adults,” Lyon said.
Notes for them can be emailed to letters@pvi.org.
“We will spread some happiness to our elders,” Lyon said.