Kids Corner returns. A lucky break and a Halloween party made it possible
A lucky break made it possible to bring life back to Kids Corner after COVID-19’s inhibiting process. Here is a cooperative effort of Payton Danosky and Curt Scott in support of the process.
Despite impeded vision, these photos are taken by Hugh McMillan, assisted visually by Payton Danosky, and technically by Curt Scott.
Lifting Hearts with the Arts
Payton Danosky, the president of Lifting Hearts with the Arts Washington and a senior at Gig Harbor High School said, “In February of 2021, I was assigned an English essay to address a social issue within my community. The issue that first came to mind was senior loneliness and isolation. I was fortunate to grow up with my elderly neighbor, Mr. Brandt, playing an important role in my life. He was my honorary grandfather and I was his ‘little buddy.’ I wanted to share relationships like mine with Mr. Brandt with other youth and seniors in my community.
“I found the nonprofit Lifting Hearts with the Arts (LHA) and made the decision to start a chapter. Once involved, I formed a leadership team with three of my friends, recruited volunteers, and contacted care facilities. Gig Harbor Court is the fifth care facility that we have started working with, but our most involved so far.
“The Halloween party was our first group activity ever with multiple seniors and multiple youth participating. All of the volunteers pitched in and brought food, drinks, craft supplies, games, decorations, and wonderful attitudes. It was amazing and rewarding to witness the interactions at the party. When we first arrived, I could tell that some of the volunteers were nervous. However, it didn’t take long before the room was filled with conversation and laughter.
“At the party, I met Hugh McMillan for the first time. I assisted him in taking the photos, and he shared with me many stories and words of wisdom. I am looking forward to connecting more with Hugh and for future group activities and parties at Gig Harbor Court.
“My favorite part of the experience of starting and running LHA is the amount that I have learned from all of the seniors that I have talked to. They all have such interesting advice and stories to share. I have had more in common with many of them than I could have ever imagined.
“With the many seniors that I have been in conversation with, it takes less than ten minutes before it feels like I have already made a legitimate connection and a new friend. I am excited to see what our future holds with Gig Harbor Court and other facilities in our community. I hope to continue growing and reaching the most seniors and youth as possible. I am glad I was willing to put in the effort to foster these connections because it is amazing the power of just having a friend to talk to has.”
‘We are not alone in this’
Jacqueline Flynn, the volunteer coordinator of LHA, and a senior at Gig Harbor High School said, “I have always loved doing art and creating things for people to enjoy, and this love significantly increased while in quarantine. I was feeling especially alone and unhappy during the pandemic.
“I realized that I was not the only one with this feeling and with further research/the help from my friends we discovered the heightened issue of senior isolation. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Halloween party, however, I did crochet small decoration pumpkins for each of the seniors.
“Seeing how joyous our volunteers and seniors were while talking made me feel fulfilled in what we had created. An amazing experience was getting to meet and call several times with my senior, Susan from Gig Harbor Court.
“We both share a love for crocheting and crafting. Something I hope to gain from her and the other seniors is the knowledge and past experiences from their lives. I want to inspire others to help other people in dark times because it is important to know that we are not alone in this.”
Nghi Nguyễn, the treasurer and social media manager of LHA, and a senior at Tacoma’s Wilson’s High School said, “During the pandemic, my mental health was plunging into the abyss of despair and I isolated myself from everyone. My friend welcomed me to LHA and suggested that the group would be a light in my deepening void.
“I met my senior friend Jenn from the facility Willow Gardens in Puyallup. Sharing my vulnerability with a stranger was not easy like I thought. However, our friendship grew and we both find each other’s company fulfilling. We have a door decorating tradition and I visit her home weekly. Although we both stepped into LHA unsure, I can say that Jenn is a light in my life.”
Asia Dragovich, the scheduling coordinator of LHA, and a senior at Gig Harbor High School, said, “I absolutely love being a part of this organization. It has given me the opportunity to interact with some of the kindest and most interesting people I have ever met, and I have learned so much from them.
“The residents and staff at Gig Harbor Court are so beyond lovely, and being able to be a part of organizing this Halloween party with them was so so fun. I am so excited for all of the things in store for the future of LHA and all of the incredible people involved in it.”
Crafting together, lifting spirits
Sophie Krueger, a senior at Peninsula High School, said, “I decided to join LHA as a way to get more community service hours and connect with seniors in a meaningful way. All of my previous meetings with my senior had been over zoom, so this Halloween party was such a fun experience because I got to meet with the seniors and LHA members I hadn’t seen in person before.
“Everyone was so excited to be there and engage in the different fun activities and crafts. It was like hanging out with a big group of friends even though we’d only just met. LHA has been an amazing experience for me because of the schedule which allows me to balance school and sports while still being able to give back to my community.
“You can set up meetings whenever you and your senior have time and can call, FaceTime, or meet in person so it’s incredibly flexible. It is a wonderful volunteer opportunity and I love hearing all the stories the seniors have to tell and just talking with them in general.
“Another great aspect of LHA is how much everyone can learn from each other. The seniors and volunteers all tell each other stories and share skills like origami or knitting and crocheting which helps create fun activities you can do together. I’m looking forward to continuing my time with LHA and to more future group activities!”
Amelia Wynne, a sophomore at Tacoma’s Silas High School, said, “I initially found out about Lifting Hearts with the Arts through my school’s Key Club, and it sounded really unique. I’d never thought of engaging with seniors via crafts or the arts, and it ended up being a great experience.
“I joined LHA in June of 2021, and this was my first time ever doing an in-person event with them, and it was incredible. The residents at Gig Harbor Court have so much to offer in terms of life experience and advice, and it was great to hear about it in a fun way.
“We made all sorts of crafts together, and had really memorable conversations. I had such a fun time meeting with the residents, and I hope I can do it again soon.”
Hope Grinnell, a senior at Gig Harbor High School, said, “I joined Lifting Hearts with the Arts so that I could lift the spirits of seniors during this pandemic while doing something that I enjoy. I think that it is really great that different generations are getting together because I believe that we have very valuable things to learn from each other.
“I am super happy that I am able to be a part of this amazing organization.”
Maria Pawlowski, a senior at Gig Harbor High School, said “I have been a part of LHA for almost a year now and I joined it in order to help and learn from senior citizens during the pandemic. I loved attending the Halloween party last Sunday because I felt like I truly made some new friends.
“It was amazing to spend the afternoon telling stories and laughing. My favorite part was making Halloween cards with some of the women there, and talking about their previous jobs, families, and marriages. I hope to do it again sometime!”
We hope Kids Corner has thus been revived.