Hamiltonians asked to send postcards to long-term care residents

Hamilton Public Library (HPL) is putting a call out to Hamiltonians to help bring a smile to those living in local long-term care homes.

HPL is asking residents to send a handwritten message on the back of a postcard to make winter a little brighter for someone special living in long-term care.

Lisa Radha Weaver, Director of Collections and Program Development, said staff at the library came up with the idea to help engage those members who aren’t able to return to the library whether it’s due to continued isolation or the weather.

“For anyone to receive mail is such a special novelty experience these days,” said Radha Weaver. “Knowing that someone took the time to be creative, to put their own thoughts onto paper for you, it shows the extra effort.”

She says Hamilton residents love that the program offers a way to share some holiday warmth and allows them to practice writing and art and share it in the community.

Postcards can be picked up for free at any of the city’s 23 library branches or you can make your own.

One of the postcards features a snowy scene of the 1898 blizzard and the other is blank on the front, to allow artists to create their own designs.

Residents can put a stamp on the postcard and send it themselves or bring it back to a library and staff will take care of sending it out.

The postcards can be sent to any or all of the following long-term care homes participating in the initiative:

Alexander Place
329 Parkside Drive
Waterdown, Ontario
L0R 2H0

Dundurn Place Care Centre
39 Mary Street
Hamilton, Ontario
L8R 3L8

Macassa Lodge
701 Upper Sherman Ave
Hamilton, Ontario
L8V 3M7

Arbour Creek Care Centre
2717 King St East
Hamilton, Ontario
L8G 1J3

Hamilton Continuing Care
Attention: Alexandra Amey
125 Wentworth St South
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 1Z1

Meadows Nursing Home
The Meadows Long Term Care Home
c/o The Recreation Department
12 Tranquility Ave
Ancaster, Ontario
L9G 5C2

Wentworth Lodge
Attn Kimberly Walker
41 South Street West
Dundas, Ontario
L9H 4C4

HPL says residents should not include their home address or any personal information on the postcard.