Senior Pen Pals
Botetourt County Libraries have partnered with the Local Office on Aging (LOA) to connect isolated seniors with people who care. You can exchange letters or phone calls.
I want to sign up to write to a senior
Thank you so much for volunteering to write or call a local senior in need!
STEP 1: Get 3 forms to fill out
Pick the option that works best for you!
OPTION 1: Print at home by clicking on the links in Step 2.
OPTION 2: Pick up the forms at any Botetourt County Libraries branch.
OPTION 3: Ask us to mail or deliver forms to you at home by calling 540-928-2700.
STEP 2: Fill out paperwork
These forms make sure we have the information we need to get you connected with a senior.
- Copy of your driver’s license (for the background check) – libraries will copy for free
In case you’re wondering, LOA runs background checks on all volunteers as a precaution to keep our seniors safe.
STEP 3: Submit paperwork
OPTION 1: Email – You can scan (or take photos) of the paperwork and your Driver’s License and email them to this address at your own risk. We will accept emailed paperwork but we caution you that emailing documents with sensitive information isn’t the safest delivery method. But it is convenient.
OPTION 2: Drop off papers at any Botetourt Library branch. We’ll store it securely and deliver in person to LOA staff. We’ll also copy your driver’s license for free.
OPTION 3: Mail papers directly to: LOA, Attn: Brenda Willis, PO Box 14205, Roanoke, VA 24038
STEP 4: Wait to be contacted by LOA with a senior to connect with
The background check can take a little time to process. We appreciate your patience!
While you’re waiting, read more about the program below. In addition to providing a personal connection, you can also help us spot needs for food, heat, medical care or other necessities so we can get assistance where it’s needed.
If you haven’t heard back in a couple weeks, don’t be shy about nudging LOA to see where they are in the process. You can reach the Botetourt branch at 540-966-1094.
STEP 5: Pick up your Pen/Phone Pal kit from the library (optional)
We have a fun starter kit with paper, pen, stamps and tips. Available at any Botetourt County Libraries branch.
I’m a senior and I want to sign up to receive letters or calls
We’re so excited that you would like to connect with a Pen/Phone Pal! This special connection will enrich both of your lives.
STEP 1: Fill out a consent form.
You have 3 options for how to do this:
- Pick up a copy at any Botetourt County library branch during curbside hours.
- Ask us to mail or deliver the form to you.
- If none of the above options work for you, simply call LOA at 540-966-1094 or Cathy Ripley (Fincastle Library) at 540-928-2700. We can take your information over the phone as a temporary measure.
Let us know if you have a preference for exchanging letters or phone calls.
STEP 2: Submit Paperwork
OPTION 1: Email – You can scan or take a photo of the completed form and email it to this address. We’ll get it to LOA.
OPTION 2: Drop off the form at any Botetourt Library branch. We’ll deliver in person to LOA staff.
OPTION 3: Mail the form directly to LOA at this address: LOA, Attn: Brenda Willis, PO Box 14205, Roanoke, VA 24038
Again, if the above options don’t work for you, call one of the numbers above and we’ll help you out.
STEP 3: Wait to be contacted by LOA about a Pen/Phone Pal
Just so you know, anyone you’re connected with has successfully passed a background check. Your safety is important to us!
If you haven’t heard back in a couple weeks, don’t be shy about nudging LOA to see where they are in the process. You can reach the Botetourt branch at 540-966-1094.
If you have any personal needs at home – food, heat, medical care, etc. – don’t hesitate to tell your pen/phone pal. We all need help sometimes, and our community partners are at the ready to get assistance where it’s needed.
I want to help in another way
We’re so grateful for any assistance you can give! Here are some ideas:
- Donate supplies. We can always use nice pens, stationery, envelopes and (especially) stamps.
- Donate $5 (or more). The funds will go directly toward purchasing supplies for Pen Pal starter kits or seniors who cannot afford the supplies themselves.
- Contact LOA at 540-966-1094 for an updated list of needs for local seniors or to be connected with partner organizations, like food pantries.
In Botetourt, we take care of each other. Thank you for doing your part to care for a neighbor!
More about the program
Suggestions from Brenda Willis, the Pen Pal Coordinator at the Local Office on Aging:
The purpose of the Pen Pal program is to alleviate the effects of social isolation for our local seniors and to build safe and healthy personal connections through correspondence and, possibly, phone conversation.
It is best to begin by writing to the senior, including a self-addressed stamped envelope, which may encourage him/her to respond.
While some say they are interested, they may not actually respond to you. If that happens, our hope is you will continue to send encouraging notes and birthday cards, but please let me know so I can call to encourage them.
Some of the seniors have given permission for us to include their phone number as well. If I have included it in your packet, please let them know in your first letter if you plan to call, and remind them of your number, so they will recognize it when the call comes in!
You could do a daily well-check call or just touch base occasionally. It is totally up to you and your pen pal.
If you notice something amiss, either through correspondence or on the phone, please call the number in your packet or call 911 if they are having a medical emergency.
For your peace of mind, and theirs, it is best to focus on every day topics and to not share highly personal or sensitive information.
Seniors often have many needs and may share those with you. We would encourage you to keep this to a simple pen pal/phone pal relationship, however. Should he/she begin to ask you for favors or to run errands, please call me to report and I will try to refer that person to other sources of help.
