Staying connected during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been easy. Thanks to volunteer Mary Bartholomew, three Meadows Elementary students have had a pen pal during remote learning. Mary has written more than 75 letters to her student pen pals this school year! She sends post cards from her prior travels, includes homemade masks, and always has a kind note for her pen pals.

Mary moved to Lacey after she started college and her children also attended North Thurston Public Schools. We asked Mary why she decided to become a pen pal; she replied "I really appreciate old-fashioned paper mail and I missed the time with my reading buddies at Meadows. Becoming a pen pal was a perfect choice." We also asked what Mary liked best about the pen pal program; "It's fun to choose cards and to figure out what to say when I'm not doing any of my usual pre-pandemic activities. But the absolute best part is getting to know my pen pals. Their letters are truly a joy!" says Mary.

We thank Mary for her dedication to the pen pal program, and for making a difference in the lives of Meadows Elementary students!