You can make an elder smile today

Everyone deserves a mailbox full of love letters, and we’re on a mission to make that happen– we’ve sent 750,000 letters of love around the world. So take a few minutes, sit down, and write a letter. Tell them about yourself, maybe share a joke or a riddle and let them know that they are loved.

How to write a letter

Unacceptable:

Letters we love:

It might feel difficult at first to be writing to someone you don’t know. Our advice: just pretend like it’s a conversation! What kinds of things would you want to talk about with a stranger?

Our Guidelines:

1. Letters must be legible (large print), handwritten, and include no glitter. No worries if you’re not artistic– make your card as what you’d like to receive.

2. Avoid religion, if possible. Your letter should resonate with anyone.

3. Embrace creativity! Recipients love it when the letters are personal. We encourage you to make your letters colorful and fun– photos, crosswords, and drawings are great!

4. Be kind & thoughtful. You can include a return address, but please do not expect a letter back. We want to ensure recipients aren’t burdened by feeling obligated or unable to respond.

Fulfill January letter requests

Read this month’s bios and choose which of our elder(s) you’d like to write. All letters should be stamped and mailed with love by January 31, 2025. New elders are shared on the 1st of every month!

Laurie

A note from Laurie’s granddaughter: My grandmother is strong, witty, and beautiful. She raised five kids while working. She is now 85 years old and is living alone for the first time after a life filled with children, 9 sisters, and loved ones. She recently had a stroke after falling and is feeling depressed, down, and lonely. Nothing makes her happier than receiving mail, but she does not often get mail. It would really brighten her life and bring her so much joy to get a letter bundle. She lost the love of her life, my grandfather Jerry, to Alzheimer’s about 5 years ago after he struggled with it for several more. They loved volunteering at the Snoopy museum in Santa Rosa. She has five children (one passed), enjoys getting her nails done, and watching her shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She grew up as the youngest of nine girls and is living alone for the first time in her life. Thank you so much for writing, she will be overjoyed with letters.

Please send all letters to:

Laurie’s Bundle

c/o Laurie S.

2 Buffalo Court 

Pacifica, CA 94044

Loretta 

A note from Loretta’s granddaughter: My grandmother is from the Philadelphia region, but grew up raising all her children in Pennsauken, NJ and now lives in Sicklerville, NJ. She loves to do crossword puzzles, knit, do her hair, and cook for my family. I believe she deserves a letter bundle because of all the hard work she does; growing up, she became a teacher, and used all her money towards tuition for her children to attend a Catholic school. She is very altruistic, donating her money to help the less fortunate and volunteering at the Knights of Columbus , which gives money and supplies to the poor and needy. She brings a smile to everyone in her community, and giving her a letter bundle will truly brighten her day.

Please send all letters to:

Loretta’s Bundle

c/o Zoe S. 

23 Brompton Court 

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Dee

A note from Dee’s God granddaughter: My God grandmother loves meeting new people and long walks. She is involved in the Catholic Church and attends mass every week. She is an active volunteer and advocate for the underprivileged. Dee has been dealing with some physical pain and financial struggles and would appreciate some cheering up and hearing from you. She loves trips to Michael’s, Marshall’s, thrift stores, and reading novels about WW2 in coffee shops. I love mailing her stickers and books, and I can’t wait for her to receive love from people all over! Thank you for getting to know Dee!

Please send all letters to:

Dee’s Bundle

c/o Christina G. 

501 Vairo Blvd Apt 631 

State College, PA 16803

Betty

A note from Betty’s granddaughter: My grandmother is the picture of who I want to be as I continue to live life. At 94, she still lives independently at her home in Washington state. Every summer, she continues to enjoy her backyard pool, where she helped me learn how to swim, and tend to her beautiful roses. She participated in community theater up until a few years ago and still does some of the costuming work on the side. She's sharp, witty, loves card games and knitting, and is one of my favorite people. Lately, however, she's lost several friends, experienced an ocular stroke, and dealt with a lot of extra anxieties. Her spark has dimmed a little, and I would like to show her that the world is still big and full of positive experiences and beautiful things by letters in the mail from around the world! 

Please send all letters to:

Betty’s Bundle

c/o Jenise J. 

619 Stone Wheel Ct E

Millersville, MD 21108

Thoresa

A note from Thoresa’s daughter: My mom loves animals and loves puzzles. She's from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and now lives in Akron, PA. She's been in remission now for 2 years of breast cancer. She is a wonderful, amazing person who has been down now on her luck lately and I know this would really make her day!

Please send all letters to:

Thoresa’s Bundle

c/o Destiny K.

208 Greyfield Drive 

Lancaster, PA 17603

Joyce

A note from Joyce’s granddaughter: My grandmother, a vibrant 93-year-old, lives in Newcastle, a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia. She is a dedicated fan of the Newcastle Knights, a local rugby league team that competes in the National Rugby League. Although she has seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren they live far away, so she doesn’t get to see them often. Receiving handwritten letters would bring her a deep sense of connection and joy, offering her a link to the wider world and helping alleviate the isolation she sometimes feels.

Please send all letters to:

Joyce’s Bundle

c/o Lyn Davis

42 James Street 

Charlestown NSW 2290, Australia

*Please see instructions for international postage.

Harry & Maxine

A note from their granddaughter: Harry and Maxine have been married for over 60 years! They retired a few years ago from long teaching careers in public schools in northern New Jersey, and continue to stay involved in their community. Harry was recently diagnosed with a rare form of ALS, and it has been a big adjustment for both of them. Still, they maintain positive spirits and can-do attitudes. My grandparents love to read, do puzzles and play word games, garden (they have a thriving vegetable plot!), and spend time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They would love to hear from everyone!

Please send all letters to:

Harry & Maxine’s Bundle

c/o Sarah B.

544 2nd Ave. 

Long Branch, NJ 07740

*You can address them together or separately (1 or 2 cards total)

Etta

A note from Etta’s daughter: My mom loves to paint, and do crafts of all sorts. She has made a quilt as a wedding gift for each of her grandchildren as they are getting married. She loves Jesus, her large family, and Disney. My mom loves writing and receiving letters. She has found that most people don’t take the time to write back and it does make her sad. But that hasn’t stopped her from writing. She even started a ministry at her church of writing letters to people when they are sick or going through a rough time. She puts so much care into her letter writing, she personally paints the handmade cards that she sends out. She would love to hear from you and read your personal letters!

Please send all letters to:

Etta’s Bundle

c/o Jackie O.

8331 W Farm Road 84

Willard, MO 65781

Arlene

A note from Arlene’s daughter: My Mom is 95 and due to mobility issues had to give up driving last year. She has been widowed almost 5 years now after 60+ years of marriage. She was born in a small town in Iowa, raised on a farm with 8 brothers! She is a strong tough woman and lives to walk to her mailbox everyday to get her mail. She even reads all the “junk mail”. Her hearing is bad so she doesn’t enjoy TV anymore. She just LOVES mail so this will be amazing for her!

Please send all letters to:

Arlene’s Bundle

c/o Kevin Swatosh 

4401 B Thomson Ave.

Everett, WA 98203

Melba

A note from Melba’s granddaughter: Melba is a 91-year old who lives in Kansas. In the last few years, she has lost her husband and her ability to drive a car, so having a meaningful connection through a letter would mean so much to her! She lives alone in her own house that she raised her 4 children in. She loves to watch sports like football, baseball and basketball. She enjoys going to the casino with her daughter, and is absolutely thrilled when her family brings her scratch off lottery cards! Receiving a bundle of letters would mean the world to both her and our entire family!

Please send all letters to:

Melba’s Bundle

c/o Amy B. 

4405 N 122nd Street

Kansas City, KS 66109