Independence Starts Pen Pal Program for Seniors During Quarantine

The Community Services Department of Independence, Ohio, has initiated an "Indy Pen Pals" program to connect seniors and younger residents during the quarantine, reports Cleveland.com . The city is encouraging residents of all ages to write a card or letter to a senior, which may be store-bought or handmade. Residents can write to specific seniors in the community, as well as author a generic letter that could be sent to any program participant. The Community Services Department explained that the letter should be placed in an unsealed, stamped envelope with the writer's name and return address. These letters can be deposited into the mailbox outside of the Civic Center, after which Community Services staff will match the letters with seniors and mail them out. According to Independence Mayor Greg Kurtz, the program aims to nurture intergenerational friendships and communication channels that are "beneficial to everyone who participates, particularly now when many people are staying home and practicing social distancing."