It was only March, but 16-year-old Hita thought that life wouldn't return to normal for a long time. To support lonely seniors, she began giving packages to nursing homes in her town in Pennsylvania.
"When I received a call from the nursing home I've been volunteering at telling me I couldn't visit any more because of the pandemic, I couldn't stop thinking about these seniors and the loneliness and anxiety they felt being isolated." Hita told CNN. "I knew I needed to remind them that they weren't alone, and I did everything I could to make sure they knew that."
Hita's efforts are a part of the organization Brighten A Day, which she started in 2018 to "spread joy to seniors and children in the hospital". With the help of other volunteers, she sent out almost 100,000 handwritten cards and packages to nursing homes in countries including Ireland, Australia, and Canada. They also make videos in which they tell jokes, play music, read poetry, or sing. They also call the seniors to make sure they have someone to talk to.
"________." Hita said. "A lot of the seniors cried when they opened the packages and read our cards. It's changing people's lives at a time when they need it the most."
Some of the seniors receiving packages live at the Woodbury Senior Living in Minnesota. Its director, Kathy, told CNN, "No one could imagine someone so young coming up with these ideas, but Hita found a way. The seniors don't feel alone. Instead, we see their expressions of joy and thanks knowing that someone out there is caring for them. So, Brighten A Day really does brighten a day."
