Storytelling Hour and Hello Project Spread Joy From Home

During this time of social distancing and staying at home, there are a couple of local Highland County programs being offered that can help brighten your day and someone else’s day, right from your own home.

Highland Medical Center is presenting “Storytelling Hour” to provide socialization and community for people who are isolated at home. This free program will be offered by telephone, by Zoom and also onsite at Highland Medical Center, where social distancing and mask-wearing will be required.

The next “Storytelling Hour” is Thursday, December 10, where Holiday Traditions will be the topic.  You can share a story about your favorite holiday tradition or share a memory of a favorite family meal or recipe that has significance to you and you can hear the stories others tell about their favorite holiday traditions.

“Storytelling Hour” will run through March 2021.  Future topics will include paper snowflakes, virtual brag book, Valentine’s love stores, virtual pet show, garden tips, and music lovers.

To enroll or to find out more about the program, please contact Shana Price, at Highland Medical Center at (540) 468-6444.

Another opportunity to spread cheer this season is the “Hello Project”.  You can bring joy to a senior citizen near you.   Write a cheerful letter, draw a picture, or share a joke on 8.5″ x 11” size paper. It will be delivered by the Valley Program for Aging Services office in Monterey to homebound neighbors who need a smile.

This is a great activity for students, faith or civic groups, families or businesses interested in helping the community this holiday season.

In Highland County, mail to or drop off at: Highland Senior Services, 49 Spruce Street, Monterey, VA 24465.

The “Hello Project” is also happening in Bath County.  Mail to or drop off at: 212 West Warm Springs Drive, Warm Springs, VA 24484.

Please note there are some guidelines.  All submissions will be screened to be sure they do not contain the senders’ full name, address, or phone number.  Paper should not be larger than 8 ½ by 11 inches and no three-dimensional items.  Items containing political, evangelical content or promotion of a product or a business will not be shared and also senders will not receive an acknowledgement.

Story By

Bonnie Ralston

Bonnie Ralston is the Assistant Station Coordinator at WVLS and a Highland County news reporter. She began volunteering at Allegheny Mountain Radio in the fall of 2005. In 2006 she became an AMR employee and worked in Bath County for eight years as the WCHG Station Coordinator and then as the news reporter there. She began working in radio while in college and has stayed connected to radio, in one way or another, for more than thirty years. She grew up in Staunton, Virginia, while spending a lot of time on her family’s farm in Deerfield, Virginia. She enjoys spending time outside, watching old TV shows and movies and tending to her chickens.

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