Feature: Handmade Cards from Children Warm Hearts

Handmade Cards from Children Warm Hearts at BTV Special Delivery from D.C.-Area Siblings is the Stuff Memories Are Made of

Everyone has a vivid childhood memory of a special visit to their grandparents’ house: warm aromas from grandma’s kitchen, or fishing with grandpa at the pond.

Imagine a child’s excitement over traveling hundreds of miles to visit a relative in faraway state – and the joy of discovering that place together.

Three siblings with fond memories of visiting their aunt at Butterfield Trail Village returned the favor with an act of kindness that touched the hearts of staff and residents at the BTV Health Care Center.

Siblings David, Eric and Nicole Djiba of Overton, Va., sent a care package to Butterfield this spring with handmade greeting cards, each colorful and decorated, especially for residents at the Health Care Center.

David, 14, and twins Eric and Nicole, 12, came up with the idea with their mother Sara Holtz, who is the niece of BTV resident Grace Donoho. The family was sheltering in place at home in the D.C. area due to the coronavirus pandemic.

BTV Health Services Director Jay Green said he and staff distributed the cards to residents one-byone. Each had a handwritten message like, “You’re Amazing” and “You’re so Sweet.”

“To say we were in awe is an understatement,” Green said. “Our residents were so touched. It feels pretty amazing to see support for the people we love and work hard to care for every day.”

In the summer of 2018, Donoho was thrilled to host her niece Sara, the children and other relatives who traveled from Virginia to spent time with their Aunt Grace at her retirement community.

“We toured the entire Village and the gardens on campus and had wonderful meals in the dining room,” Donoho said. “The kids were so excited to have many choices for dessert. We hiked the trail behind Butterfield, and they were so impressed.”

The family explored the region together, visiting Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove Military Parks, and the University of Arkansas.