In conjunction with American Legion Post 53 in Ridgewood, residents of New Concepts for Living created and mailed personalized holiday cards to local Blue Star Families, thanking them for their service and sacrifice. NCFL recognizes the importance of helping these adults who have varying levels of abilities and encouraging them to feel a part of their communities and give back where they can. Gestures like this one positively impact NCFL’s residents as well as the recipient families. Because of COVID-19, the organization’s Adult Achievement Center (Day Program) has been forced to temporarily shut down. Recreation and activities are being conducted virtually and staff has had to develop creative ideas to keep residents occupied and busy. Lisa Callahan, a Day Program Manager for NCFL, had the idea and initiative to connect with the Ridgewood American Legion and work with them on this project. “Thanking the families of our troops, who sacrifice so much this time of year seemed like such an important thing to do. It is an added bonus that it gives our residents and day program participants a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth to help or recognize others. They really enjoyed doing this. We even have a few Spanish speaking adults who wrote their cards in that language for Spanish-speaking families!” explained Mrs. Callahan. “This was a true ‘win-win’,” she added.
