Mendon Senior Center program connects generations, seeks volunteers 

By Theresa Knapp

MENDON – Every month during 4th grade, 10-year-old Mackenzie Robinson of Mendon received a letter through the U.S. Postal Service from “Ziggy,” her senior pen pal assigned through the Mendon Senior Center; and, each month, she would return the favor under the pen name “Chick-Filady” (an homage to one of her favorite restaurants). 

“My pen pal and I wrote to each other once a month throughout the school year,” explains Robinson. “I wrote about dance, piano lessons, school, my family, and my favorite things. We asked each other questions in our letters. My pen pal wrote about her family, her hobbies, and favorite things. She also shared a historical fact and a fun fact in every letter! And I really enjoyed it!” 

The program culminated in May with an in-person ice cream social at the Mendon Senior Center. There, Chick-Filady and Ziggy met in real life. 

“I got to meet Ziggy at a Girl Scout event, we played a game and had to guess our pen pals based on some of our favorite things,” said Robinson. “I was a little nervous but Ziggy was so nice and we had a lot to talk about... It was a really great program and I loved how sweet my pen pal was when we met. She and I exchanged addresses during the ice cream social and we are still writing to each other.” 

Ziggy’s real name is Cheryl Lemon. 

“My husband and I participated in the pen pal program for two years prior to the pandemic,” said Lemon. “We found this program to be very rewarding. It gave us the opportunity to exchange stories about life experiences with today’s youth. Getting a letter every month from our pen pal was like getting a surprise gift every month.” 

This year, Lemon coordinated the program, which has been in existence for many years. 

“It is evident her enthusiasm is contagious as she recruited many new participants,” said Mendon Senior Center Director Amy Wilson Kent. “She did a terrific job coordinating the monthly letters between the seniors and members of Girl Scout Troop #65245.”

Lemon added, “We were able to partner with 15 Girl Scouts [in grades 3 and 4] from Mendon’s Troop 65425 who meet at the Mendon Senior Center biweekly...Throughout the winter and spring months I had very positive feedback from the Senior participants. They shared stories about their pen pal letters and repeatedly stated they couldn’t wait to get their next letter! The Girl Scout leaders spoke of the same enthusiasm from their Girl Scout participants.” 

With the next school year starting soon, Lemon is looking for senior pen pal volunteers. If interested, call or text her at 508-685-1419, or e-mail cheryl.lemon31175 @gmail.com.