Giving Back Through Snail Mail
Make cards and write letters to help someone in need and share a smile!
Volunteering has always been a big part of my life. Working in a non-profit, I' have always relied on volunteers for help and have always felt that if I am going to expect someone to give their time, I should do the same. Finding ways to give during a time where a significant portion of the country is working from home, and volunteer jobs are suspended, has been difficult, to say the least. However, I believe this is also a critical time to help people that are struggling with shelter-in-place orders, people who are feeling isolated, and people who are in homes or hospitals who may not be able to see visitors. There’s no question that these times are hard, but who better to help from a distance than a community that makes beautiful cards and shares encouragement via snail mail!?
Through a bit of research, I’ve compiled a list below of organizations changing lives through cards and letters. This upcoming holiday season, I am making it my goal to create and send a card or letter for each organization below. This is a great way to give back while doing a hobby I already work on every week! During a time where we may all be feeling isolated and like we don’t know how to help those that are struggling, I encourage you to take a look at the list below and give a card or letter to an organization who’s mission speaks to you.
MORE LOVE LETTERS
Created because “the world needs more love letters,” this NY based organization accepts letter requests online by those in need of a love letter. Each month they post new nominees that have been selected to receive a love letter bundle. Supporting MORE LOVE LETTERS is fairly easy. Simply visit their Letter Requests page, review the stories of those in need and send a note of encouragement to the address listed. From 90 year milestone birthdays, to supporting someone going through a difficult time in life, there’s through MORE LOVE LETTERS support and encouragement can be sent around the world for a variety of needs.
LOVE FOR OUR ELDERS
LOVE FOR OUR ELDERS is fighting loneliness in senior communities across the globe through anonymous letters of love. They have connected with senior communities around the world and hand pick and sort through letters to deliver to these communities. Participating is easy. They ask that you write an anonymous letter and provide suggestions and guidelines for creating a letter that will make someone’s day. Once complete, simply mail the letter to the organizations PO Box and know that it is being delivered to an elder in need of a smile!
CARDS OF HOPE
The Braid Mission CARD OF HOPE program ensures that foster youths receive cards for birthdays, holidays and encouragement throughout the year. The even send letters of support to the foster systems staff and social workers. Simply write a card, whether it be for a holiday, birthday, or just because and send it to their California address. This program encourages sending additional stamps and stickers, so you can get creative with sending fun extras to a youth in need! The organization also recommends sending in a large bundle of cards at once, to fulfill their need and encourages group card making parties to gather cards!
GIRLS LOVE MAIL
“Girls Love Mail collects your hand-written letters of encouragement, bundles them, and sends them, via the caring staff at cancer centers, to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Every letter is a gift from you to a woman going through a difficult time.” Sending letters is to Girls Love Mail is easy and only takes the time to write and cost of a stamp to support someone going through a breast cancer diagnosis. Simple follow their guidelines and instructions and send a card to their California address. While you’re at it, check out their beautiful book of letters of encouragement, “Dear Friend.”
THE RAINBOW CARDS PROJECT
“The simple concept behind this project is this: send cards to those whose families don't send them cards.” The Rainbow Cards Project focuses on sending cards for birthdays, holidays and encouragement to the LGBTQ+ community who night not receive cards from loved ones. They are “fighting prejudice & isolation through simple acts of kindness.” Each year they select a specific card to send, so be sure to check their guidelines and deadlines to be involved. Write as many cards as you’d like and simply send them to their United Kingdom address.
LETTERS AGAINST DEPRESSION
The LETTERS AGAINST DEPRESSION program sends letters of hope and support to people all over the world battling depression and other mental illnesses. The letters are meant to help give strength, hope and support when someone needs it most. Writing letters for the Letters Against Depression program as a bit more personal, as you receive a short bio of the person you are writing to. To participate in this program, they ask that you apply to be a letter writing volunteer through their volunteer application. The letters are expected to be full page and individuals applying to be a Hope and Support Letter Writer should have fair/decent handwriting and fair/good written communication skills.
LETTERS TO STRANGERS
“Letters to Strangers is a global youth-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit seeking to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment for youth aged 13 to 24.” Chapter members write anonymous, heartfelt letters that aim to share their vulnerabilities and offer support for those who are fighting through difficult times. Letters are distributed to chapters or community organizations. Letter submissions must be done through their chapters or partner sites, so visit their website to find one near you, or read about how to start one of your own!
CARDZ FOR KIDZ
“Cardz for Kidz! is dedicated to uplifting spirits across the globe by delivering inspiring handmade cards. They send handmade cards to kids in hospitals and solemn seniors around the world. Patients can be restricted to their hospital rooms because so they make sure each partner location promises to hand deliver every card, room by room. To send cards, simply follow their guidelines online and send cards to their Chicago address. They also provide materials to host a group card making event and a participant portal to track how many cards your group has sent!
STAY GOLD HAPPY MAIL
They Stay Gold Happy Mail Program “brings joy to the elderly by distributing handmade cards and letters to seniors in long-term care homes. Each card is designed and created by people just like you, and features a kind, handwritten messages that can brighten a senior’s day.” To join in on the fun, simply mail your handmade cards to their Canada Address and they will distribute letters to seniors in long-term care residences. Stay Gold also offers Virtual Happy Mail opportunities to spread joy from your home digitally!
PAPER BRIDGES
“Paper Bridges is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2017 by then high schoolers Emily Yuan and Rebecca Huang, who set out on a mission to help provide emotional support to orphans. Since then, Paper Bridges has sent letters to orphanages internationally from school chapters, projects, and individuals sharing their love from all around the world.”
To participate, either send a virtual letter through their form, which volunteers will write out and decorate for you, or send a physical letter to their Maryland Address. Make sure to submit their handwritten letter form so your letter can be tracked!
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and are excited to start giving back through snail mail! I welcome suggestions, comment and input. I’m certainly not an expert on this community, just a penpal enthusiast that wants to share what I’ve learned along the way! If you have any suggestions on places to give back via snailmail, that would make a great addition to the list above, please feel free to contact me at the info below.
~Your Hippie Penpal, Teddy Ann
CARDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT ON AMAZON TO SEND TO THOSE IN NEED:
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