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Aloha for Patients

It’s always good to spread aloha! Current quarantine and safer-at-home policies can be really difficult, leaving many people feeling isolated. And for those facing health issues – COVID-19 related or otherwise – in our local hospitals, it can feel even more isolating without family and friends able to visit. That’s why IPA Elementary students showed their support for their community by creating cards and messages for the patients at The Queen’s Medical Center, The Queen’s Medical Center – West Oʻahu, and Kaiser Permanente.

The idea was the brainchild of a Grade 2 IPA parent, who is a nurse at one of the hospitals, and Grade 2 teachers, Sheena Fajardo and Shannon Dube. Together with Katherine Jones, Sustainability & Innovation Coordinator, and Steve Ross, Elementary Principal, they all made it happen.

The elementary K-5 students created more than 170 notes, cards, drawings and other pieces of art that were collected by Jones last week during the Elementary packet pick-up.

“The kids really went above and beyond,” shared Jones. “One student made ten glittery flower cards with handwritten notes and photos of his dog to ‘cheer up’ patients. Another student dropped off laminated bookmarks with Hawaiian flowers. It was amazing.”

Lots of families got involved, too. A kindergartener and her mom made 17 cards, and another family painted beautiful floral watercolor cards.

Jones and a Grade 3 IPA parent, who works at The Queen’s Medical Center, delivered the cards to the different hospitals. The hospital staff were all very grateful to receive them and said they would be shared out to their patients, including some COVID-19 patients.

“We really wanted to do a give-back for our community during this time and everything aligned for us to make it a reality,” said Ross.

 

Student putting cards in a box

Hand made cards for patients

Hospital staff receiving student cards

Hospital staff receiving student cards

Student made cards at hospital
(Photo courtesy of Kaiser Permanente Hawai’i).