Operation Fan Mail delivers donated art to seniors in the Sault

The Deluney family is spreading some Christmas cheer and goodwill by delivering more than 600 pieces of donated art to seniors at long-term care homes in Sault Ste. Marie. 

On Friday morning, Cherie Deluney drove her three children — Hunter, Hayden and Harmony — to Pathways Retirement Residence, Ontario Finnish Resthome Association, Extendicare Van Daele Manor and F.J. Davey Home to deliver the art. 

The pieces of locally-sourced art were collected through Operation Fan Mail, a social media group dedicated to distributing donated letters and artwork to local nursing homes.

Deluney says a number of local mothers donated their children's art, while elementary students at Ben R. McMullin Public School and Pinewood Public School created artwork specifically for the project.  

“Instead of it going in the garbage we’ll recycle it and give it to the nursing home residents, because a lot of them don’t have families that come and visit — and that little piece of artwork puts a smile on their face all day long,” said Deluney, speaking with SooToday outside F.J. Davey Home Friday. “That’s why we do it.”

Deluney's three children also chipped in and created several pieces of art for seniors in the Sault. 

“It’s teaching my children a valuable lesson to be kind and helpful,” Deluney said.