Camp Hawk students at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School create handmade holiday cards for Summit County seniors as part of the Seniors Connections Campaign. The after-school program participants crafted hundreds of cards that will be distributed at senior centers throughout December to combat winter isolation among older adults. Photo: Park City School District

PARK CITY, Utah — Hundreds of handmade cards created by Park City School District students will arrive at senior centers across Summit County this month, part of an effort to combat loneliness among older adults during the holiday season.

Students from Camp Hawk at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School and Latinos in Action at Ecker Hill Middle School crafted the cards as part of Summit County Health’s Seniors Connections Campaign. The behavioral health initiative targets winter isolation among the county’s elderly population.

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“When students can apply creativity, compassion and service in real-world ways, it strengthens both their learning and our community,” said Michelle Coy, the district’s community education after-school program manager.

The cards, filled with messages of encouragement and kindness, will be distributed through community partners and at all three county senior centers throughout December.

Todd Klarich, community education director for the district, said the project demonstrates how after-school programs can extend beyond academic support. “Projects like the Seniors Connections Campaign show students that their actions matter and that they have the power to make a positive difference,” Klarich said.

Daniela Moscoso, a prevention specialist and Latino outreach coordinator with Summit County Health, said Ecker Hill’s eighth-grade leadership class also participated in the campaign. The initiative creates connections between generations, she said.

The district’s after-school program provides academic support, enrichment activities and childcare for working families in one of Utah’s most expensive housing markets. The program aims to improve homework completion and classroom participation while developing students’ social and emotional skills.

The Park City Education Foundation funds the after-school programs as one of its signature initiatives. The foundation provided initial seed money to launch the programs and continues supporting their expansion. The foundation has funded Ecker Hill and Park City High School’s Latinos in Action classes for more than a decade through its classroom grants program, providing thousands of dollars annually.

“PCEF’s commitment ensures that after-school opportunities are available to every child, regardless of financial circumstances,” Klarich said.