PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. — Joan Brown, 94, is enjoying arts and crafts with some new, young friends at Claridge Court.
They’re 3rd-graders from Highlawn Montessori.
“When you're living here, you're with people who are a little bit older so that's fun and thinking about my own great-grandchildren,” Brown said.
Through glue and paper hearts, two generations connected to make something special for veterans at the senior living facility.
“I didn't have grandparents around, so I didn't get to know you know older people very well,” Brown said. “So maybe it's good for them to see there are some of us you know and we can still walk and talk.”
Making the cards reminds Brown of her husband and brother, who both served in World War II.
“When you have anyone in the service I think you are concerned and especially at the time you were actually at war,” Brown said.
Nine-year-old Gavin King wants to make sure his card is just right.
“Veterans who fought in the war, I think it's really nice that we're making it for them because they are feeling like they are being thought of after they fought in the war for a long time,” King said. “It must've been really hard.”
Veterans themselves, like WWII veteran Richard Nelson, also participated.
“Opportunities are very few and far between for us so every opportunity we get is a good one because I'll learn from Jack and he will learn from me,” Nelson said of his new 9-year-old friend, Jack.
Showing something as small as a heartfelt card can go a long way.
“They know that Jack in the 3rd grade and Richard, who is 86, together, they are doing something for them, so I think there's not enough people doing things for them so hopefully they'll get the picture,” Nelson said.
They made a total of 150 cards and will be handing them out to the VA hospital later this week.
