Conestoga High School Student Starts NonProfit Brightening Days For Nursing Home Residents

BERWYN, PA — Hita Gupta was a retirement home volunteer when she began to realize that many older people experience loneliness. The student at Conestoga High School student decided to do something about it as the pandemic worsened last year.

"My experiences with the residents there have been so fulfilling. It saddens me to think of how lonely or depressed many residents feel because they cannot see their loved ones," she said. The pandemic was causing panic, too, for many seniors, Gupta realized. "It's our responsibility to give back to them. That is why I recently started a fundraiser to help local nursing home residents during this pandemic," she said.

The 16-year-old senior at Conestoga High School in Berwyn founded Brighten A Day, a nonprofit that aims to lift the spirits of those in need of some cheer by sending them love, hope, and joy — delivered in cards and gifts.

The mission of Brighten A Day is to lift spirits; that happens with the cards and letters, as well as via encouraging video messages, friendly conversations, and in care packages.

Brighten A Day is dedicated to giving back to the most vulnerable groups in society. Its current project is focused on helping the elderly through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"Because of the coronavirus pandemic, nursing homes throughout the United States — including the one where I volunteer — are being closed off to visitors. Many residents are experiencing boredom, loneliness, isolation, and anxiety as they are unable to meet family or friends," Gupta explained.

"Before this, all of my projects have been self-funded, but I am looking for some more support on this fundraiser so that I can cheer up more seniors. If I raise more money, I will be able to help many more nursing home residents from feeling lonely or isolated while they are unable to see loved ones," she explained.

People may donate at Brighten A Day's GoFundMe page or through PayPal at the Brighten A Day website.

Gupta said Brighten A Day has sent out care packages to more than 100 nursing homes and hospitals across the country.

"I have connected with and brightened the days of tens of thousands of nursing home residents, hospitalized patients, and frontline workers in all 50 states and in more than 40 countries with more than 200,000 cards, thousands of care packages and hundreds of computer tablets, while engaging tens of thousands of volunteers across the world," Gupta said.

Volunteers have signed on all around the country, expressing the joy they find in doing the work.

"When I first learned about Hita and her non-profit, Brighten A Day, I instantly knew it was something I wanted to be a part of," said Christina Ensling, of Pennsylvania. "I have been making homemade cards for seniors during these difficult times. I use decorative paper and stamps and include a handwritten note of hello. I want each recipient of my cards to know that although they might feel lonely that many in the community are thinking of them."

The cards and gifts are always appreciated. Lehigh Valley Hospital in Pocono, Pennsylvania wrote to say, "This is so nice of you! I really appreciate all of your volunteers and their kind work! It was so kind of everyone to keep our patients in mind. It really is a spirit lift for them to receive."

Bryn Mawr Hospital said, "Thank you for the beautiful cards, they were received today."

Country Winds Manor, in Iowa, thanked Brighten A Day. "We received the package today!
We will be dividing them out and giving to our residents tomorrow. Thank you so much for what you do. Our residents love getting mail and some don't get mail other than this, so it's much appreciated!"

Another special project just started is writing to show appreciation and gratitude for those fighting the Dixie fire. After receiving the cards, the Dixie firefighters shared that "we are excited to get the cards posted on our boards for the firefighters to read. Thank you so much for thinking of our firefighters."

Make sure you know what's happening in your town. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss any local news: https://patch.com/subscribe.