Griswold Connects Andover Students and Seniors Through Pen Pal Program

Griswold , the non-medical home care franchise, was recently featured on WCCO-TV Minneapolis for its partnership with Crooked Lake Elementary in Andover, Minnesota, where it helped launch a heartwarming intergenerational pen pal program. For several months, third-grade students at the school exchanged handwritten letters with seniors living in nearby retirement communities — a unique effort that culminated in an emotional in-person meeting.

“Having that connection piece between seniors and kids has been really rewarding,” said Nicole Myhre , owner and director of Griswold . The initiative created meaningful relationships that bridged generations, offering children insight into different life experiences while helping seniors feel connected and appreciated.

Students described the experience with joy and excitement. “It was like getting a Christmas present,” said third grader Reed. Others, like Eloise, looked forward to learning about their pen pal's stories and finally meeting them in person. Seniors, too, expressed how valuable the interaction was. “When you’re older, you don’t have as many contacts,” said Joanne Hansen. “So it’s good to receive greetings from pen pals.”

Beyond the emotional impact, teachers noted that the program helped students build real-world communication skills, practice reading and writing in cursive, and learn to express themselves more thoughtfully. Organizers hope the bonds and lessons formed through the program will carry on well beyond the classroom.