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Peoria Times
FEATURES
April 23, 2020
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WHAM launches Cards for Seniors campaign BY SARA EDWARDS
Peoria Times Staff Writer
The nonprofit arts group WHAM is breaking out the cardstock and craft scissors as a part of its new Cards for Seniors campaign. When retirement homes and assisted-living facilities quickly went under lockdown, seniors were no longer able to leave the facilities or accept visitors to protect the other residents. WHAM started its Cards for Seniors campaign so folks staying in these facilities know they aren’t forgotten, by having the community send homemade cards and messages to give to them. Connie Whitlock, the executive director of WHAM, said seniors living
in these homes and facilities often feel forgotten, and with the spread of COVID-19 and the lockdowns they are feeling more lonely now. She said artists with WHAM wanted to find a way to show they aren’t forgotten during this time. “Some of our artists have been making cards, and we’re going to hand deliver them to senior centers or places that have people who are isolated from the public and not able to accept visitors,” Whitlock said. Whitlock and WHAM artists started distributing the cards on April 14 to the Place in Surprise and a private senior-care facility. So far they have delivered 68 cards and have hundreds waiting to be delivered.
“Our mission is to provide arts for all, and we know that art isn’t just about selling. It’s about communication,” Whitlock said. “When things like this happen, people who receive them get a really warm feeling when they know they are cared about. The people who make The WHAM Cards for Seniors program is making cards for area asthem do also and know sisted-living and retirement centers. (Photo courtesy WHAM) that they are helping the community. That’s “WHAM is closed right now to the why we started this campaign.” public, and it’s just something to help Whitlock said any senior center in the community,” Whitlock said. the West Valley can participate in the WHAM staff has created art kits campaign and can call or email her if with card-making materials in a bag they would like to receive cards. that people can pick up from outside “I’m hoping we’ll be able to deliver WHAM. several hundreds of cards,” she said. When they are finished making their “We’re delivering anywhere to people cards, people can place the cards back who need it in the West Valley. We’re in the bag and contact WHAM to ar- all about community, and it’s people range a time to drop them off to be helping people.” sanitized and isolated for four days to For more information, visit whamprevent contamination. art.org/cards-for-seniors.
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