NORTHFIELD — To show support for health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, National Honor Society and Junior National Honor Society students from the Pioneer Valley Regional School have been sending them letters with words of encouragement and thanks.
Alex Kiriakopoulos, Pioneer math teacher and advisor for the National Honor Society and Junior National Honor Society, said the project began after he heard stories from friends who work in health care about what they’ve experienced while battling the virus. The first round of letters was sent to Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s nurses, doctors and other personnel.
“I thought this would be a great way for our chapter (of the National Honor Society) to reach out and do some volunteering in the community in a different kind of way,” Kiriakopoulos said. “They usually volunteer and go into the community for various service projects, but that had to change due to the pandemic.”
Over the winter, students volunteered at Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield for the holiday bazaar. They also participated in a unified bowling program with Special Olympics athletes led by physical education teacher Sue Scott.
Sophomore National Honor Society student Allyson Unaitis said, so far, she has sent one letter to workers at Baystate Franklin to lift their spirits. She said the students are also planning to send letters to staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.
“I think what they’re doing to help everyone is amazing,” Unaitis said. “This is just something little that we can do to help them.”
In her letter, Unaitis, a member of the soccer and indoor track teams at Pioneer, said she can’t imagine what health care workers are going through. She shared further words of encouragement and thanked them for “being the ones getting the world back together.” She said the letters project has proven to be uplifting for the students, too.
“These little things boost their spirits, and they also boost our spirits,” she said.
Julia Kovalsick, a freshman and member of the Pioneer field hockey team, said she has also sent one letter to Baystate Franklin so far, and is currently writing more.
“There’s definitely a lot of thanks, especially for the hospital staff in our community,” Kovalsick said. “We’re thanking them for being away from their families for long hours and sacrificing their health.”
In her letter, Kovalsick also asked the health care workers about ways students can help. She asked about the important health safety measures they should take, like wearing masks in public.
“Just learning about everything they’re doing makes me even more grateful,” Kovalsick said. “I’m really glad we’re doing this. I think it’s a good way to reach out and see how they’re doing. … It’s rewarding to see people appreciate getting the letters.”
Kiriakopoulos said students have started receiving replies from nurses and doctors, thanking them for their support and for taking the time to write. The students will continue sending letters, with the next phase of the project focused on writing to other essential workers, such as workers at Big Y and Stop & Shop, as well as to veterans.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.