Thanks goes out to Brookhaven Elementary art teacher Gianna Maccarino and her students for making 248 holiday cards for the residents at Bellhaven Nursing Center. The Brookhaven Village Association initiated the Smiles Program with the elementary school and Bellhaven Nursing in December of 2020 to make holiday cards for those most isolated from family during the pandemic. Three holiday seasons later, the Brookhaven Elementary school children and the BVA are keeping the smiles coming. Children are learning compassion for strangers, empathy, and civic engagement, all while brightening the spirits of nursing home residents. Look at these kids putting colorful love in our community! Pictured is Maccarino and her students’ cards for the nursing home residents.