Uplifting Essential Workers during COVID-19: The Gratitude & Thanks Project
Jun 10, 2020
Time to Debut
As I tuned into the news, I listened carefully to updates about the coronavirus pandemic. Highlighted were the tireless efforts of dedicated first responders and front line workers. Learning about the intensity of their work, I felt strongly that something should be done to show support for their tireless efforts. It was imperative that appreciation, gratitude, and thanks for these individuals’ courage be recognized and this is when Gratitude & Thanks made its debut.
Connections
I was proud to be able to put my experienced background in global service-learning to good use within a school environment. The do-good feelings to lend my helping hands and invite others to participate was calling. I began by drafting an email that I sent to my teacher and administrative friends. All of whom I knew would be receptive and supportive of this type of worthy and meaningful project.
All Aboard
In education, the sharing of ideas is what it is all about. As Gratitude & Thanks was ready to roll with suggested instructions in place, I wanted to learn if there were any additional ideas that some participants may wish to share. I inquired with my teacher friends to learn what their students from grades pre-k through high school might like to contribute. As email replies began to fill my inbox with “count us in and I like this idea,” I felt proud of our immediate partnership. I was thrilled that so many students and families from Amherst Montessori school, other students in the community, and a local Girl Scout troop were willing to be a part of this team effort. Each day my inbox was full of messages from students who created kind and thoughtful notes and pieces of artwork. Each submission was addressed to numerous doctors, nurses, health care workers, first responders, activated MA National Guard members, and front line workers.
Sharing is Caring
Students who chose to participate in Gratitude & Thanks meant that they, their family, and teachers needed to hold conversations about the facts of the Coronavirus. Some of the discussions may have needed to be more in-depth and longer in length due to the developmental needs of the students. Honest and accurate information about the disease needed to be shared and time allocated for questions. Opportunities also needed to be provided that allowed students to share their thoughts and feelings about the challenges so many were experiencing. I made sure that my communication with students, families, teachers, and administrative personnel, and the organizations where our submissions were to be delivered were held. What did they have to share that might be helpful as our project started? Towards the conclusion of the project, it was wonderful to connect and hear directly from participants through Zoom, phone calls, and email, their proud participation with Gratitude & Thanks.
Plan in Place
The participants found helpful the set of simple guidelines that encouraged students of all ages to create a note, letter, or a piece of artwork to share with a first responder, essential worker, doctor, nurse, activated MA National Guard, helpful. Each submission that made its way to my inbox, and postal mailbox and those which were personally delivered or collected by myself, contained messages and drawings of hope, thanks, appreciation, and love. As each piece of student work was admired, I took pride in placing their personally created pieces in a secure envelope addressed to those in need of gratitude and thanks.
Successful Ending
What I loved most besides the collaboration and abundance of student submissions were the personal deliveries of notes, letters, and Girl Scout cookies that I was able to distribute on the students’ behalf. As I made my way through the doors of Bay State Medical Center and the Holyoke Soldiers Home and when securing boxes for postal delivery to Operation Gratitude, I couldn’t help but smile. It was my responsibility to make sure that all student submissions were delivered successfully. When I met with the coordinators and directors of these programs, there were times when it was hard for us to understand each other with safety masks covering our faces. The thumbs-up that were shared let me know how sincere these organizations were with our donations.
Full Circle
Service-learning projects like Gratitude & Thanks eventually come full circle. Some service projects have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and others, a group of individuals is inspired to carry on a worthwhile project for others to experience. However, short or long in duration, a successful project is what matters most. Individuals and organizations define success in different ways but they have one goal in common and that is, what effect did the experience have on the people and places involved? Coordinators make sure to observe and provide opportunities for themselves and participants of all ages who volunteered to share feedback. The feedback shared needs to be transparent and suggested improvements reviewed and implemented with the team should a service project be repeated or a similar one move forward. From personal experience and through my extensive research on the study of service-learning and student involvement, opportunities for students to participate in hands-on experience towards important causes encourage students to further develop an ethic of service and civic responsibility. What better skills to integrate and enhance in children than these.
Written by Nancy Craker-Yahman, Administrative Assistant, Gratitude & Thanks Project Coordinator