Pleasant Valley High School’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter is partnering with Brookmont Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Effort on a project called P.A.A.L.L.S.

P.A.A.L.L.S. stands for People All Ages Love Letters, and is a project based on a letter writing program similar to pen pals. The name highlights the intergenerational connection between the students and the residents at Brookmont.

Over the months, several letters have been sent back and forth between the students and Brookmont residents with a positive response on both sides. The letter writing process encouraged students to learn how to write friendly letters, since they usually use modern technology to communicate. And it helped the residents by strengthening their fine motor skills and social connections, sharpening their memory, and combating feelings of loneliness.

Project leaders Sarah McGraw, Anayah Accilien and Ashley Palmieri were able to expand the project to include in-person gatherings to talk and to play bingo. The visits have helped the connections to deepen and benefit both the students and residents, the students said.

They also held an activity book drive for the residents to bring them happiness, especially during times of illness. The project leaders said the drive was successful and brought much happiness also to the students, nurses and the Brookmont administration.

PV-FBLA considers P.A.A.L.L.S. to be a successful partnership with a business, and plans to continue it for a long time.