A very special collaboration took flight mid-pandemic as Park Place of Elmhurst launched their latest exhibit, “Wings of Hope.”
Park Place Life Enrichment Director Lisa Stoik had a vision to connect residents and their families by folding paper origami cranes, the Japanese symbol of hope and peace.
“That was the perfect message for 2020 and beyond,” Stoik said. “I wanted to find a way to help the people here feel connected during the pandemic, and this was a way they could work on a project independently while still enjoying a collective result and shared collaboration.”
Stoik invited people to submit origami birds of any type, size, and color, and origami birds began to “fly in,” both locally and from as far away as Massachusetts and California. Birds were created by Park Place residents and extended family members, Park Place staff, Elmhurst Garden Club members, Timothy Christian School students, GEMS youth group at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, and other community friends, many of whom saw Stoik’s appeal for birds on Facebook.
“A total of 1,000 birds came through boxes, baskets, and envelopes,” Stoik said. “My office was overrun with birds!”
As origami birds arrived in flocks, Linda and Larry Korbus, daughter and son-in-law of Park Place resident Helen Maurer, volunteered their skills in organizing and hanging this beautiful compilation of hope. The empty walls were transformed into a magical rainbow flight of birds migrating towards the dining room. Shades of red, yellow, green, and blue gracefully travel down the walls, fluttering with each gentle breeze.
The collaborative nature and timing of this project was providential, Stoik said. With 99% of their residents fully vaccinated, Park Place was able to officially re-open their dining room on Friday, Feb. 12 and the unveiling of the Wings of Hope exhibit naturally became part of this celebration. As residents arrived to commune together for the first time since last spring, they were welcomed by the beauty of 1,000 wings of hope.
“When residents came through, the joy was palpable,” Stoik said. “It added excitement for the brighter days ahead.”
The Wings of Hope collaboration became a favorite of the Retirement Living residents, and to share this joy, the exhibit will move to the Park Place Health & Wellness Center this summer. In the fall, the 1,000 birds will “take flight” once again at Timothy Christian School in Elmhurst.
If anyone would like to see this exhibit, Park Place is open for tours by appointment. All visitors must complete a health screening upon entrance and wear a mask at all times while on campus. To schedule a visit to Park Place Retirement Living, contact them at [email protected] or at (630) 936-4501. To schedule a visit to Park Place Health & Wellness Center, contact them at [email protected] or (630) 936-4120.
