The Pen Pals Facebook group founded by November Sheehan, from Corlette, has had a name change.
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The group, which encourages Port Stephens people to write a letter, or postcard, to be distributed to aged care facilities and people with anxiety or depression, is now known as 'Heart Letter Pen'.
"We had to change the name due to some confusion over the traditional meaning of 'pen pals' and some people were expecting reply letters from the elderly," Ms Sheehan said.
"The group continues to grow since its inception in July 2020 to support people in aged care facilities get through the coronavirus pandemic and health restrictions imposed by governments, throughout the Port Stephens area and we now have 30 Heart Letter Pen mailboxes.
"We have also enlisted the help of the Sunnyfield Disability Services Port Stephens to be our Swap and Drop crew."
Ms Sheehan said that the group has also initiated a QR code on all of its mailboxes "so if people are wondering what it's all about they can just scan QR code and be taken to our Facebook page".
"Our mailboxes are so full that the Swap and Drop crew are emptying them weekly. And they are covering all areas of Port Stephens from Fern Bay to Raymond Terrace and Fingal Bay to Anna Bay," she said.
Ms Sheehan said that she had also been approached by people from Tamworth, Dubbo, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains for letters and cards for the elderly.
"Our new motto is 'Kindness is real, not manufactured, not rehearsed'."
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