Residents at Edmonton General receive special valentines from Lynnwood School

Seniors wish program celebrates 150th dream

Valentine’s Day called for a special delivery and over 500 residents at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre received handmade valentines from students at Lynnwood School.

“I got two valentines,” said Dzintara (Annie) Stals, resident. “I have pictures in my room and I’ll put the valentines in my room too.” She added that the day’s event is “something to talk about, something to think about.”

Students from grades three through to six dashed through the halls in groups as they delivered their cards and mingled with residents across the units.

“I went with volunteers and we helped them deliver valentines to seniors,” said Zeeshan Hooda, grade five student. “We try to make their day better by interacting with them and just making them feel good.”

“We don’t usually see seniors and this is a great opportunity to share warm greetings for Valentine’s Day,” said Justine David, grade six student and first year member of the student council.

Second Wind Dreams has granted Valentine’s Day wishes on a smaller scale, for one or two units. This year, instead of just a few people getting something special, program organizers thought it would be nice for everyone to have their heart touched on Valentine’s Day.

“One of the things that is consistent throughout the wishes is that residents like being around kids. So this year we looked into collaborating with a school and making valentines for everyone,” said Diane Berge, co-chair of the Second Wind Dreams program.

The Valentine’s Day cards were made by students in the entire school. Six parent volunteers and 34 students visited seniors on February 13, 2012 to personally deliver the cards. This is the first time Lynnwood School has partnered with the Second Wind Dreams program.

“I want the students to have a sense of connection to their community and developing citizenship. There are a lot of people out there they can interact with and make those connections with, said Lana Nordmark, grade five and six teacher at Lynnwood School. “And I think it’s of more value that the students came out to personally deliver the cards instead of just making valentines cards for someone who’s anonymous. It’s important to really put a face to that and be able to build those positive relationships with all ranges of people and not just their peer group.”

This is the 150th wish Second Wind Dreams has granted at the Edmonton General since the program started at the continuing care centre in 2006. The program has evolved over the years to meet the needs of residents. The Second Wind Dreams committee, a group of volunteers, encourages residents’ family members, staff and volunteers to offer suggestions and ideas to make life more special, more fun for residents.

“It’s very family and community driven. Second Wind Dreams is operated by volunteers and all proceeds go toward facilitating and granting wishes for residents,” said Diane. “There are members who have lost their loved ones over the years but they still volunteer here all the time. It’s that kind of community that makes it a little better.”

“I think it’s of great value and I would encourage not just Lynnwood School but any school to be making those connections with the seniors within our community. I think that they have valuable information and life lessons for future generations,” said Lana.

Second Wind Dreams is a program at the Edmonton General that aims to brighten resident’s days by granting wishes.

Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre provides around-the-clock nursing care and support to a large community of continuing care residents. The facility also provides the local community with palliative and sub-acute care services, and a Centre for Lung Health.

Visit our photo gallery to view photos from the event!