Some lucky Aussie seniors are enjoying Christmas crackers of a different kind this year, with personalised Christmas messages from school children filled with festive one-liners, pearls of wisdom and much more.
As part of their annual Be A Santa To A Senior program to combat loneliness and social
isolation this festive season, national in-home care provider, Home Instead, asked children from local primary schools to write in Christmas cards to distribute to seniors around the country.
This year, nearly 18,000 cards will be distributed to seniors at special Christmas events, retirement villages, community centres and Home Instead client Christmas parties featuring school choir performances and wreath-making sessions. Scouts will also deliver hundreds of cards to seniors at Meals on Wheels lunches.
The personalised messages in the cards showed kids really do say the darndest things, with Christmas crackers that included:
Merry Christmas to all of you old people. I hope Santa comes to you and that he
gives you a cookie. Merry Christmas to you old people – Lavie
I hope you have a great Christmas. I have a joke that I made: How do you make
a tissue dance? You put a little boogie….! What’s green and wobbles and loves
to be decorated? A Christmas tree – Natalia
I know times might be hard right now but always remember you’re the reason
people smile, you’re the reason the sun shines so bright. Ageing is not losing
youth but it’s a new stage of opportunity and strength, so never give up! You are
powerful no matter what! – Chelsea
Dear old aged people. I hope this message really helps you, I’m sorry to hear
that when it’s Christmas, you don’t get any gifts. Well this is why I’m writing this
message to you, so you don’t feel more alone. I hope this message makes you
cheer up! – Nizo
For this Christmas I will pray and forbid any bad and evil orbiting you, when I say
this I mean it this day is for having fun spending time with family so have a jolly
good Christmas – Sean
Have a Merry Christmas. If you are in a hospital feel better, if you are in a nursing
home, and that (sic) you are old that does not mean you aren’t special. Here is a
Christmas joke – what do Santa’s helpers learn in school? The elfabet – Miles
Dear Grandpas, Grandmas, Roses are red, violets are blue, 1+1=2 and have a
lovely Christmasaroo! – Veer
Just remember ur (sic) beautiful Even though I can’t see you. Joke time! … Why
are eggs really good Joketellers? Because they crack you up! Haha – Paige
Home Instead Acting Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Spencer said it was heartwarming to see the interactions between seniors and school children through the Be A Santa To A Senior program, which is celebrating its 10th year.
“We know seniors in our community are vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness,
and that these risks tend to amplify at Christmas time,” she said.
“It’s incredibly important to make sure these individuals don’t feel like they’re forgotten –
and a handwritten Christmas card can be a simple way to alleviate feelings of loneliness.
“And having school students pen heartfelt messages in the cards helps promote
intergenerational engagement, putting smiles on the faces of young and old.”
Home Instead is again teaming up with Meals on Wheels™ Australia to help deliver the
cards to seniors around the country, including at some of the charity’s Christmas lunches.
“Our network of Meals on Wheels™ services will ensure these personalised Christmas
cards reach isolated people right around the nation,” said Paul Sadler, Chair of Meals on Wheels™ Australia.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of this program, which facilitates intergenerational contact that is immensely rewarding for both seniors and children.”
