ERLANGER, Ky. — Sending someone a hand-written note is always thoughtful and appreciated, and that's exactly what a Northern Kentucky Police Department is doing.

Becky Stouse is a social worker with Erlanger Police Department. As she works from home this week, she explained a new initiative — writing letters to senior citizens for Christmas Card Day.

“Someone’s thinking of them and that it’s a surprise to them,” Stouse said. “Since I’ve started working in Erlanger, a lot of my work is with the senior citizens."

As a social worker, she tends to the community's needs.

“People who may not typically get a christmas card or have anyone tell them 'Merry Christmas' and so that’s where the thought came from,” she said.

The social worker said she wanted to address the isolation most seniors are experiencing. 

“Now with it getting colder, plus the COVID[-19] and the restrictions, that isolation, that feeling alone, you know, was really, really [affecting] the seniors,” Strouse said.

Three years ago, the department added a social worker position in efforts to resolve issues that fell beyond an officer’s time.

“Issues that had been stemming from five or ten years, things that they could not fix on a five to ten minute call,” Strouse said. “They’re saying 'well here, we have a social worker. Here's her card, you know, give her a call.'”

The series of calls has led to projects to help bridge the community.

“It’s not something that they’re looking for or that they know it’s coming. It’s completely unexpected and I think that will be fun,” Strouse said.

The social worker said this is the first year they’re undertaking this project. They hope to expand their efforts next year.

Christmas Card Day is on December 9.