REGION — The trip to the mailbox is a daunting one for most people. We pray for more stimulus checks, but instead we find bills, coupons, and junk mail. Good news seldom comes in the mail anymore.
The Extension Homemakers are doing something to change that for their community. Since January, homemakers– part of UMaine’s Cooperative Extension network, which is spread out all over the state – have been sending letters and post cards to members of their community.
According to Lois King, president of Franklin County Advisory Board, the cards and letters are a statewide initiative among all the homemakers for wellness and mental health. Some members of the Franklin County Extension Homemakers sat down to talk about their feelings on the program, as both senders and receivers.
One member stated that she had sent out about 15 cards, but hadn’t heard back, which she said was okay.
“Making connections, even if it’s only one way is important,” another member added, “because that person knows that you appreciate what they did.”
Another member said she and her husband received a thank you card from a personal acquaintance for picking up trash on Earth Day. She said getting that in the mail was the highlight of the month. She reiterated that it was not why she did it, but it was an unexpected reward.
“That’s my positive for the month,” she said.
For many of the Extension Homemakers, they have been writing and drawing out handwritten letters their whole life, and some mentioned that sending out these cards several times a month reminds them what they love about writing.
The Extension Homemakers in Franklin County said they choose who to send cards to based on their own personal preferences. Some want to reconnect with some old friends and family they haven’t heard from in a long time. Some wish to reach out to a community member who may have stopped making public appearances.
Others have reached out to total strangers with only the message that they care about them. One Extension Homemaker said she specifically sends cards and letters to people who live alone.
“I want to help people who are lonely and let them know that they’re not forgotten,” she said. “I like to send cards to widows, widowers, people who for whatever reason are alone.”
The homemaker went on to tell a story about a woman she knows who she sends cards to every other week. According to this woman’s daughter, it is the highlight of her day.
“I think it’s really important that we stay connected,” the homemaker said, “That we remember people, that we thank people for what they’re doing, recognize them, and let them know that they’re appreciated and that they’re not forgotten.”
One member found out from the son of an old friend that her friend has skin cancer and only a few months left.
“Even a card per week, it’s not going to hurt anybody, but it might give her encouragement to know that somebody does care,” the homemaker said.
All the Extension Homemakers kept reiterating that it wasn’t important if they got a response, but sending the card and letters was a small and simple way to let someone in their community know that they are appreciated.
The initiative will continue throughout the rest of the year with thousands of cards and letters pouring out each month. Many homemakers even said they will continue to send the cards out even after the initiative is over, because for some people, this simple gesture means the world to them.
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