Dr. Bryan Corbin’s lifelong bond with his grandfather inspired him to create a service learning project that has touched the lives of thousands of seniors nationally.
The San Jacinto College South Campus English professor Google searched his bright idea, “letters to senior citizens,” which led him to several organizations that performed the service.
“I emailed over 50 of those organizations asking if they needed help with writing letters to senior citizens, and all of them said yes, but none of them could provide the material and postage to make it possible for me to implement a letter-writing project into my classes,” Corbin said.
Bring Smiles to Seniors
A representative from one of the companies advised Corbin to contact Bring Smiles to Seniors project founder Ron Tyson.
“They gave me his information, and — voila! — a project the College and I could afford was born,” Corbin said.
Tyson agreed to fund the cards and postage, which meant Corbin would have a self-sustaining project.
Corbin introduced the project in fall 2022, and students wrote almost 1,500 cards. Since then, he’s expanded participation districtwide.
“Other professors are now participating by having their own learners write greeting cards to fulfill course requirements,” Corbin said. “Additionally, various clubs and organizations now have meetings dedicated to sending notes to seniors.”
As word spread, some students have even taken extra cards home to have their children or family members write encouraging notes to seniors. The project has almost reached 8,000 cards completed.
In the name of kindness
Corbin’s goal was to bring service learning into his classroom. Even better, the project teaches kindness, something about which he is passionate.
The greeting cards project encourages students to learn, discuss, and write about kindness by reading David Hamilton’s “The Five Side Effects of Kindness.” The students then put what they learn from the book into action by writing greeting cards to seniors.
“I believe educators have a responsibility to use the podiums they helm to make the world a better place, so I try to give my students meaningful opportunities to serve others while still meeting course objectives,” Corbin said.
After reading the book and writing their heartfelt messages, students get to see the principles of kindness come to life.
Hopes for the future
All the cards are sent to Bring Smiles to Seniors headquarters for nationwide distribution, but Corbin strives for greater involvement close to home.
Finding local senior facilities willing to participate has been a challenge. Corbin hopes to spread the word and increase participation locally so he can someday reach 100,000 cards every year.
“This past spring semester when I introduced the project, I had a student come up to me in tears at the end of class,” Corbin said. “She told me that later that day they were putting her mother in a nursing home, and she thanked me for creating the project. This really touched me and helped bring the project to life even more for me.”
Learn more about Bring Smiles to Seniors at bringsmilestoseniors.com.
Neesha Hosein
