Holiday initiative aimed at granting wishes for senior citizens this festive season
In the heart of Grimlinghausen, a community project has been launched to bring joy, comfort, and a sense of togetherness to residents of senior homes. For five years, Daniel and Vanessa Streek have been cooperating with three senior homes—Diakoniestift Norf, Elise-Averdieck-Haus, and Kronenhaus—to bring warmth and connection to the elderly population.
Wish Tag Cards for Senior Home Residents
Volunteers and organizers create wish tag cards, small cards on which people can write kind wishes, messages, or words of encouragement. These personalised cards are then distributed directly to senior home residents, bringing a smile to their faces and reminding them that they are remembered and cared for by the wider community.
The initiative, which emphasises human connection, coping with separation, and affirming dignity and respect for seniors, has been a huge success.
The Everlasting Calendar: "No matter how far I am, I am always close to you"
The evergreen calendar titled "No matter how far I am, I am always close to you" is a symbol of ongoing connection, complementing the wish tag card project. Designed by Vanessa Streek, the calendar features quotes, artwork, or photos that emphasise themes of love, presence, and memory, regardless of physical distance.
- Unlike typical yearly calendars, it can be used repeatedly, making it a lasting reminder of connection.
- The calendar serves as a comforting gift, encouraging seniors to feel close to their loved ones even if visits are infrequent.
- It also provides a tool for volunteers and family members to consistently send thoughts of care, reinforcing the message that emotional distance doesn’t sever bonds.
Together, these efforts highlight the compassionate heart of the Grimlinghausen community, creating bridges between generations and ensuring senior residents feel valued and emotionally supported.
The calendar is available for more information at the Sibost-Verlag.
The Gift-Giving Process in the Senior Homes
All the gifts, including the wish tag cards, are collected and delivered on Christmas Eve to the senior homes. The staff of the senior homes record one small Christmas wish from each senior and note them down in anonymized lists. Daniel and Vanessa Streek transform each wish into a wish tag card, which are then hung at the Grimlinghausener Sparkasse for citizens to take and fulfill.
Any citizen can take and fulfill a wish from the wish Christmas tree, making it a community-wide initiative to bring joy and happiness to the senior home residents.
This heartfelt community initiative in Grimlinghausen continues to foster connection and warmth among elderly individuals, bringing a sense of togetherness and joy to the residents of senior homes.
- The wish tag cards, small cards containing kind messages, are distributed to senior home residents, fostering human connection and reminding them they are valued by the wider community.
- The everlasting calendar, titled "No matter how far I am, I am always close to you", serves as a comforting gift for seniors, emphasizing themes of love, presence, and memory, regardless of physical distance.
