Pen Pals Celebration offers face-to-face meeting

The Decorah Lutheran Social Hall was filled with eager anticipation as the students arrived to meet with their pen pals face to face for the first time. They had been corresponding throughout the school year. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Kate Klimesh)

The Decorah Lutheran Social Hall was filled with eager anticipation as the students arrived to meet with their pen pals face to face for the first time. They had been corresponding throughout the school year. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Kate Klimesh)

RSVP hosted the end of year celebration Wednesday, May 10, for the participants of the very popular Pen Pals program at Decorah Lutheran Social Hall in Decorah. RSVP Director Deana Hageman announced, “We started with 52 students, and in our third year we have up to 260 students from Decorah Carrie Lee Elementary which will be with us today, and Allamakee and Howard County Elementary schools as well.”  

The volunteers who wrote letters to one or two students over the school year were invited to attend to meet their pen pals face to face. Hageman added, “RSVP Pen Pals is done, but all pen pals can individually decide if they want to continue with their students on their own.” She noted there were a few volunteers still writing with their original pen pals from last year’s kickoff of the program.  

Andrea Homstad noted this was her second year as pen pal, this time to two young girls: Dora and Emerson. “My first year was during COVID, so we never were able to meet face to face. I’ve had fun with the pen pals program. I’m sorry that it’s done,” noted Homstad.

Retired Postal Worker and Decorah Councilperson Kirsten Olson had even delivered the Pen Pals’ letters to the schools in his official way, hand delivering letters to each student for three of the exchanges. “I had so much fun delivering to the kids, and the teachers said it was so fun for the kids as well.” 

Next year, the program will further expand, by adding St. Benedict Catholic School and St. Patrick’s Catholic School classes to the program. For more information about the Pen Pals program, contact Deana Hageman at 563-277-5181.

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