Sunday, January 19, 2025
Glen Cove’s senior residents recently received a heartfelt reminder of the community’s care and creativity by way of the HeART by Mail Project, an initiative that brought together more than 100 artists, ages 5 to 85, who contributed over 150 custom-made postcards to brighten the seniors’ lives.
Spearheaded by Age-Friendly Glen Cove — an initiative aimed at making the city a supportive and inclusive community for residents of all ages, and particularly seniors — in collaboration with local artist and educator Lisa Craig, the project transcended generations, creating meaningful connections and colorful expressions of support.
From Dec. 5 to 20, there were six communal art-making sessions across the city, at the Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club at Lincoln House, the Senior Center, the Adult Day Program, the After 3 Program at Finley Middle School, the Public Library and the Youth Bureau.
Some of the postcards were hand-drawn and others were collages, using materials ranging from magazine cutouts and wrapping paper to recycled sushi paper and bingo markers. The result was a vibrant collection of cards.
“Each postcard is a work of art,” Craig, a former Adult Day Program director and commercial artist who facilitated the sessions, said. “We wanted to create pieces that would brighten someone’s day, and remind them they’re an important part of the community.”
The original postcards were distributed to seniors who live alone, residents of assisted-living facilities, the Regency at Glen Cove , and recipients of the NOSH Delivers! food pantry meal-delivery program.
Consumeraffairs.com reports that 28 percent of seniors live alone — a total of more than 14.7 million Americans— and that loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of dementia by 50 percent, and the rate of mental health disorders by 26 percent. Other increased risks include heart disease, stroke and premature death.
“We’re really addressing social isolation and loneliness among seniors,” Carol Waldman, a consultant for Age-Friendly Glen Cove, said. “This time of year is especially tough. Days are shorter, weather is colder and people feel more isolated. While this wasn’t specifically holiday-themed, the timing was perfect to bring light and connection to those who need it most.”
Photographs of the postcards are on display through January in the Glen Cove Public Library’s community room. The exhibition offers the community a unique look at the creativity and compassion behind the project while honoring the amateur artists who contributed their time and talent.
The initiative was funded by a $1,000 Huntington Arts Council Inc. Community Impact Microgrant, supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
Despite the project’s short timeline, the enthusiastic collaboration of participants, venues and organizers brought their collective vision to life.
Charli Parento, 11, who contributed collages featuring flowers and bears, spent two hours crafting artwork — “To help people,” she said simply.
Chase Leonard, 7, drew an airplane and an American flag. “I wanted to make people happy,” he said when asked about his choices of imagery. “The reason I made the postcards is because I wanted to show my creativity and brighten someone’s day.”
“We made a point to remember friends and peers we don’t see as much anymore at the Senior Center,” A.J. Kuhr, director of the Nassau County
Age-Friendly Center of Excellence at Glen Cove, said.
Craig emphasized the non-seasonal nature of the postcards. “We intended these pieces to be year-round works of art, not holiday-specific,” she explained. “While some people created holiday-themed cards, most were meant to be enjoyed any time of year.”
The HeART by Mail Project also highlighted the profound health impacts of social isolation among seniors, and the importance of initiatives like this one in fostering community connections.
“This project shows how art can bridge generational gaps and make a real difference in people’s lives,” Waldman said. “It’s about reminding people that they matter and are loved.”
