Chelmsford Senior Sends Good Vibes To Those Who Need Them Most

CHELMSFORD, MA – One high school senior has a message for those in care facilities separated from their loved ones over the holidays: You are not alone. Actually, she has more than 400 messages.

MacKenzie Stacy wanted to brighten the coming days and weeks of as many people as possible – hospice patients, folks in long-term care and those in assisted living – by collecting and delivering greeting cards with positive messages.

A family friend who volunteers at a hospice care facility in North Andover asked Stacy if she might create a few cards and notes, even handmade, to be given to those who need them most.

Within 24 hours, Stacy enlisted the help of her brother Bryce (a junior at Chelmsford High School) and sister Brooke (a freshman), as well as the Give Club. She also splashed it on her social media networks and received 75 from her friends and another 40 from Parker Middle School students.

She hoped to collect at least 200 cards. But in a matter of days, she collected 417 cards and notes, each with a unique message expressing heartfelt support and good wishes.

"When we were asked, we just wanted to bring some joy to those who can’t see their families," she said. "We just want to make them happy and put a smile on their face."

Some of the messages were simple, others contained elaborate illustrations. But high school administrators and the facility said the very gesture is something everyone can learn from.

“MacKenzie is a super kid,” said Chelmsford High School Dean John MacIsaac. “She is such a thoughtful, caring and polite person who always puts others first."

Stacy did such a good job recruiting cards, they had more than Compassus, the hospice facility needed. So Stacy also send several to Power of Flowers Project of Tewksbury, which recycles bouquets of flowers and delivers them to care facilities and veterans homes.