Won’t you be my neighbor? In Johnstown, Ferndale Area Elementary students made a neighborly gesture by crafting and sending cards to residents of The Atrium, a downtown personal care community, to mark "143 Day" on Monday, May 23, 2022.
Ferndale teacher Theresa Wolf initiated the effort by contacting The Atrium. Rebecca Doverspike, The Atrium’s Administrator, provided her with first names of residents so the notes of compassion and caring could be personalized.
The day is an opportunity to share kindness to neighbors in honor of beloved Western Pennsylvania-native and children’s television icon Fred Rogers. The tradition began in 2019 and was intended to inspire a statewide movement in memory of Mr. Rogers, who once said: “It takes one letter to say I and four letters to say love and three letters to say you. One hundred and forty-three.”
“This act of kindness made our residents’ day,” said Ms. Doverspike. “The Ferndale students and their teacher, Ms. Wolf, are certainly good neighbors and would make Mr. Rogers proud. We are very grateful and invite all from the community to reach out to our residents at any time. They are always in need of your thoughts and consideration.”
The students worked on their messages during the day Monday and the cards were delivered to The Atrium by Ms. Wolf on a later date.