GALESBURG — The Galesburg Civic Art Center has provided between 250 and 300 cards, as well as art kits, to residents of The Kensington and Heartland Health Care Center, according to Madeline Simms, outreach and volunteer coordinator at the Art Center.
Kits and cards are also being delivered to seniors in the community with the help of KCCDD. Each month, a new kit is provided, ranging from paint-by-numbers to birdhouses.
Tina Carder, activity director for Heartland, says residents really appreciate their kits.
“They absolutely love it. It brightens their day,” Carder said.
Since April, the Art Center has welcomed guests to stop in and pick up supplies to create cards for local assisted living facilities.
Simms discussed how important it is to keep seniors in mind, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when social outings and visits, cannot be maintained.
“Before the pandemic, seniors were able to gather once a month at the Art Center for a craft and for some level of communion,” Simms said. “It is so important to keep that level of support up through difficult times.”
The Galesburg Civic Art Center currently funds most of this initiative, but is also receiving supplies through Dick Blick, as well as from students at Knox College, and other community members. Volunteers through the Kleine Center for Community Service have also supplied materials, according to Tuesday Çetin, executive director of the Art Center.
If you are interested in donating or picking up card-making supplies, please call the Galesburg Civic Art Center at (309) 342-7415 or email [email protected]. Cards can be dropped off between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Face coverings and social distancing are required for entry.
