The Heritage of Green Hills, a healthy life plan community in Cumru Township, Berks County, found innovative ways to celebrate November as Gratitude Month during this most unusual year with COVID-safe “hugs,” tiny portable hearts and a Lady Liberty covered in sticky notes.
On Nov. 13, World Kindness Day, the Heritage’s Well by Design department gave out “hugs, COVID-style” — handprint-sized notes featuring best friends Snoopy and Woodstock and the message, “Hugs are universal medicine.”
Residents spent the day delivering these little mood-lifters to their friends and posting them on neighbors’ doors.
Throughout the month, community members were encouraged to make “pocket hearts” out of felt and keep one for themselves and to share the rest, bringing comfort and hope to each other.
Residents shared them with friends and family outside the community, too, and even popped a few in the mail. An estimated 1,000 hearts were made and given away.
On Thanksgiving, a cut-out of Lady Library was given a spot in the community’s restaurant. Looking sharp in her mask, she was covered in messages of gratitude written by residents.
The Heritage’s signature Well By Design program is a mind, body and spirit initiative offering activities, classes, events and services focusing on eight dimensions of wellness — social, physical, intellectual, emotional, vocational, spiritual, environmental and health services.
“It’s important to remember how lucky we are to have all these connections with one another,” said Cheryl Anderson, the Heritage of Green Hill’s Well By Design director. “It’s been a tough year, but we’ve all gotten through it by working together and helping each other. I’m very grateful for that.”
