AUGUSTA —The Maine Health Care Association delivered more than 1,370 homemade holiday cards as part of the annual Cards of Kindness Holiday campaign to residents in nursing and assisted living centers throughout Kennebec County. The campaign aims to uplift older community members by sending holiday cards, each with their own unique warm thoughts, holiday cheer and artistic expression of the season’s goodness.
What started in 2024 by local middle school student Anna Booth has become a holiday tradition for many, and an important way to show heartfelt affection for the older adults residing in assisted living and nursing homes throughout the community.
“I heard about this last year, after the fact,” says Lori Faulkner, an administrator with RSU 49 who knew she wanted to be involved this year when the call went out. Working with her school district, dozens of students spent their free time making cards for people they don’t even know. “It’s really special watching students pen endearing messages of hope and care, imparting the message that these older adults are cared for and thought about. Hope runs deep.”
With the generous support of Albison’s Printing in Augusta, who provided the cards to MHCA, the 2025 campaign kicked off in late October. Creative and uplifting messages came from students, faculty and staff at Gilbert and Whitefield Elementary, Cony Middle School, Lawrence and Sacopee Valley high schools and Academy Hill School. Additionally, cards from Vassalboro Girl Scouts, University of New England’s College of Dental Medicine, the Westin Portland Harborview and the staff and board of MHCA made 2025’s campaign a huge success.
Reflecting on the campaign this year Booth said, “to see that Cards of Kindness continues to grow and inspire people to be nice to others makes me happy. In 2024 I had a goal of sending 450 cards. I never thought we’d be able to provide more than 1,370 cards this year. It just goes to show how much kindness is in the greater Kennebec community.”
The Maine Health Care Association represents more than 200 nursing homes and assisted living/residential care facilities across the state, providing quality advancement, education, advocacy and support services ensuring Maine’s long-term care is of the highest quality.