Waite third-grader's mail campaign bringing 'smiles'

MEDINA — What began as one third-grader's writing project has grown into a large-scale effort to help area seniors possibly feeling isolated amid ongoing social distancing requirements. Audrey Brown, a student at Waite Elementary School, 4765 Cobblestone Drive, Medina, spearheaded a "smile mail" initiative that worked to deliver roughly 1,200 letters and greetings for Valentine's Day, most going to area nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The 9-year-old started off by asking students in her class to write letters to nursing home residents as a "long distance hug or smile." "I talked about it with my teachers and just pitched it to my principal," Brown said Sunday. "She really wanted to help too and we all found little ways to help everyone kind of build it up since then. A lot of people are helping now. Right away, a lot of people wanted to start getting the letters." Her mother, Anna Brown, said talks are underway to set up a smile mail drop-off box in front of Waite so anyone wishing to draw up their own card can pay forward the kind sentiments. However, logistics are still being worked out due to COVID-19-related safety precautions. "I know when some of (smile mail) letters got dropped off at a nursing home, they had to sit there for a week just to ensure that everything would be safe," Anna said. "Audrey really got going on this in November and everyone planned things out so they would be done and ready to open on Valentine's Day. It took a lot of planning." Audrey said she'd like to grow up to be an artist, skills she's happy to apply now as one of many helpers around the district drawing up cards. The smile mail campaign is now getting help from Sydney Fenn and Ella Canavan elementary schools with even more aid coming from Medina High School's Huddle program, which encourages teens to take younger students under their wing. "The Huddle team's helped facilitate the idea to the other schools and with the process of collecting, sorting and delivering the letters to the nursing homes who were interested in receiving the," Anna said. "They've just been great, always asking what they can do to help." The young leader in this growing wave of good tidings encouraged peers to turn good ideas into reality instead of just thinking about them. "You have to tell someone about it," Audrey said. "If no one knows about it besides you, how's it ever going to happen? Keep going, spread the word, and see what you can do." Those wishing to help with smile mail are encouraged to contact Waite Elementary School at (330) 636-4500. Contact reporter Jonathan Delozier at (330)721-4050 or jdelozier@medina-gazette.com.