When School Street Elementary School third grade students in Richille Denore’s enrichment class were asked what community service project they’d like to do, the overwhelming response was they wanted to thank doctors and nurses at the hospital,.

The students did this by creating a number of cards with messages that were recently delivered to Bradford Regional Medical Center.

The colorful, creative cards with their simple, heartfelt messages touched the hearts of the medical professionals who received them so much that they contacted the press.

Denore said the idea for creating thank you cards for the hospital staff, and for other service professions in the community, came completely from the children.

“My class focuses on service writing projects,” Denore said, noting the medical center cards were just one of the service professions and agencies that received items from the class. “We made treats for the (McKean County) SPCA and we also made thank you cards … for the firefighters and also the police officers.”

Denore said the project was near and dear to one of her students who had been hospitalized last year.

“This was very close to (the student) because she said in second grade she was sick and the nurses and doctors really took good care of her,” Denore shared. “I think in one of the cards (the student) said, ‘Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick.’”

Denore said the class, which has 25 students, are among a larger group of 70 enrichment students in the school.

“They did all sorts of projects, but this one was one of the favorites,” she said of the cards.

The program not only inspired the youngsters to recognize and thank the professionals, but also helped them practice their writing skills.

“They used what they learn in the classroom, because we’ve been focusing on writing letters,” she explained. “It’s incorporating what they know” into letter form.

Denore said additional cards made by the students will be delivered to the other service professions in the near future.

Stacy Williams, director of volunteer services and community outreach coordinator, said the children’s cards were a treat for the hospital staff to receive.

“It is so important to give back to the community,” Williams said of the students’ thoughtfulness.  “I was happy to read from Miss Denore’s letter that one of the lessons focused on community service. I am fortunate in my position in the volunteer office at the hospital to be able to help individuals achieve their desire to serve others.”

Williams said the cards will be displayed for all to see next week on the wall outside of her office, which is located on the first floor of the medical center.   

“Our physicians and nurses will enjoy the students’ kind words and wonderful artwork,” she added.

Denore said the students are also anxious to see their work prominently displayed in the medical center and plan to walk to the hospital campus to see them.