Students from the Preschool of West Hartford create cards for residents of Saint Mary Home.

Submitted by Preschool of West Hartford

Students at the Preschool of West Hartford created holiday cards for Saint Mary’s Home residents. Submitted photo

The 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old students from the Preschool of West Hartford took time from writing their own letters to Santa this year to create festive holiday cards for local residents of the Saint Mary Home in West Hartford. Residents, some of whom may not have family to visit with during the holidays, will receive a handmade card from a preschooler to bring them joy and happiness this season.

Preschool Director Elizabeth Redden-Sciarra, and her staff of teachers, felt the holiday outreach was a special way for some of the youngest members in our community to give back to an older generation who may not get to experience as much of the holiday spirit, especially those in poor health.

This is the second year for the preschool’s Holiday Card program. It was such a success last December that the children went on to send Valentine’s Day cards as well.

Giving back to their community is nothing new to this group of little ones. Their annual Thanksgiving food drive to the West Hartford Food Pantry was a success, donating many boxes of much needed food. In the spring they will hold their annual book drive to donate.

Parents of the Preschool are thrilled to see that in addition to a PreK curriculum, their children are also being encouraged to show kindness and giving to the world around them outside of the preschool.

For questions about the Holiday Card program, or more information on the Preschool of West Hartford and their community outreach, please contact Director Elizabeth Redden-Sciarra 860.561.3241