SLL Delivers Cards to First Responders
From May 12 to 15, Peninsula’s Service Learning Leadership (SLL) delivered 30 thank-you cards to first responders handmade by SLL and Peninsula students who were looking to give thanks to first responders and essential personnel; these cards serve as messages of encouragement for these workers’ efforts during this coronavirus pandemic. This project is similar to others done by SLL in the past, as Physical Education (PE) Yoga, PE Intermediate Dance and SLL instructor Heather Myrick describes SLL as a leadership class that allows students to collaborate on planning projects and school events, as well as an outlet that grants students the chance to positively contribute to their local communities. Therefore, making and delivering these cards is one method in which SLL has helped to better the community.
In order to deliver the cards while remaining socially distant, SLL set up card drop-off boxes on Peninsula’s campus, with its contents then being hand-delivered by Myrick to the essential workers. SLL Members advertised this system by making flyers and posting them on social media platforms to spread the word. In the end, SLL completed their goal of spreading positivity, and the program was able to create a sense of unity within the community despite physical self-isolation orders.
“With all of the [uncertainty going on in the world], it is hard knowing what to do due to the [circumstances of this pandemic],” Myrick said. “[Making cards allows] students to have the opportunity to show their gratitude, thereby ensuring that our [local] essential workers feel appreciated as they [continue] to selflessly work.”
Sophomore and SLL student Kayla Jung was motivated to make cards because of her previous experience with volunteering at Torrance Memorial Hospital. While volunteering, she saw the hospital walls full of appreciative letters and posters for the workers from members of nearby communities. After remembering how the essential workers reacted to receiving the letters and posters firsthand, she was inspired to participate in making these cards for first responders.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to support those who are working during this pandemic, and I believe that a personal handwritten card is more [meaningful] to those who receive them,” Jung said. “The fact that so many students participated shows how caring our community is; there was no incentive for participating, so it is heartwarming knowing Peninsula students did it out of the goodness of their hearts.”
Senior and SLL member Lauren Kim believes that this project was successful because of the seemingly satisfactory impact it had, as the recipients appeared to appreciate the gesture. She believes this project represents how successfully the Peninsula community is able to come together and do the right thing by being appreciative, especially within these special circumstances.
“I think it is important to spread love and joy right now,” Kim said. “By making these cards, there is a trade of goodness that happens. The person making the cards is able to express themselves and show their creativity as well as showing appreciation to the ones who are receiving it.”
