Write a letter to brighten an elder’s day

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

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 and controversial topics. Your letter should be meaningful to 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 reply. We want to ensure recipients don’t feel burdened by the need to reply.

Fulfill August 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 August 31, 2025. New elders are shared on the 1st of every month!

Pro tip: These addresses will be taken down at the end of the month, so address your envelope before you start your letter.

Barbara

A note from Barbara’s daughter: Barbara was born in Pittsburgh, PA but currently lives in Downey, CA. She was a P.E. teacher and basketball coach for 40 years. She loved to cook, go on vacations, and volunteer at her church and hospital. She grew up writing letters to her family in Pennsylvania, thanking others for birthday gifts or reaching out to a friend to say hello. Needlepoint was always her passion. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about 7 years ago and currently lives with our family. She unfortunately cannot walk as well anymore and she is losing her vocabulary, making communicating hard and feeling depressed. She would absolutely love to receive letters of love to make her smile!

Please send all letters to:

Barbara’s Bundle

c/o Kellie N. 

7716 Fostoria St

Downey, CA 90241

Phyllis

A note from Phyllis’s friend: Phyllis is truly a treasure, bright as a shiny new penny and sharp as a tack, with a wit and spark that can light up any room! At 93 years young, she remains a lovely, graceful lady living in Southern California. Though she is mostly housebound now, she can’t venture outside without someone carrying her, her spirit is anything but confined. Phyllis lost her mother when she was only three years old. Her beloved husband and daughter-like niece have also passed away. With no immediate family left, her devoted caregiver has become her family and closest companion. Despite all of the loss in her life, Phyllis is still vibrant, clever, and full of personality! Doing something kind and unexpected, like love from strangers, would absolutely make her day and remind her how loved she truly is.

Please send all letters to:

Phyllis’s Bundle

c/o Nanci H.

4727 Barnard St

Simi Valley, CA 93063

Melvin

A note from Melvin’s son: Mel is a retired Barber, he started cutting hair at the age of 16 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mel turned 89 years old in May, lost his wife of nearly 70 years, and now lives alone in Grass Valley, CA. Mel enjoys watching TV and chatting with caregivers. His only living relatives live far from him and he is very lonely. Mel would enjoy reading a letter or a positive note from you!

Please send all letters to:

Melvin’s Bundle

c/o Tony Y.

4607 E 108th Pl

Tulsa, OK 74137

Maxine

A note from Maxine’s daughter: It's Maxine's birthday month and she is turning 88! She is living in Kansas in a memory care facility. She was a home economics teacher in Sterling, CO for 20 years. She raised three girls and always gave back to her students and church. If there was a student that wanted to go to a school dance and didn’t have a dress, she would take them to the fabric store and make them a dress so she could feel as beautiful as the rest of the girls. She also made many young men T-shirts. She could really use a pick me up and hear a positive message and birthday wish from you!

Please send all letters to:

Maxine’s Bundle

c/o Cathy C.

11147 SW 61st St

Topeka, KS 66610

Chris

A note from Chris’s daughter: My soon to be 90 year old mother lives in Bemidji Minnesota independently. She is widowed, survived colon cancer, loves to dance, cook/bake and travel. She is involved in the senior center and church activities. Recently she had cataract surgery, which left her blind in one eye, and had a successful cornea transplant. Needless to say, this has been disheartening and caused quite a bit of anxiety. She sure would love to hear from you and could use some cheering up right now.

Please send all letters to:

Chris’s Bundle

c/o Valerie R.

12497 Sunny Point Rd

Nevis, MN 56467

Elaine 

A note from Elaine’s daughter: My mother is a retired teacher of 40 years. She has difficulty doing some everyday tasks. She is very tender hearted and deeply missing companionship with others being 84 years old.  She has often talked about feeling lonely and has no one to talk to. Receiving a friendly note or letter from a stranger would really brighten her day and help her feel less lonely in this world!

Please send all letters to:

Elaine’s Bundle

c/o Michelle H.

916 Norwood Ave

High Point, NC 27262

Dixie

A note from Dixie’s daughter-in-law: Dixie is 76 years old and was always on the go. She loves country music and enjoyed going to concerts and festivals. She loved camping with her husband until he passed away 10 years ago. She always stayed busy until about a year ago when she couldn’t safely go out on her own due to memory issues. Now she sits at home alone with her dog and is depressed. She is such a people person that will talk to anyone who will listen to her, receiving letters would make her day and help her feel less alone!

Please send all letters to:

Dixie’s Bundle

c/o Dionnedrea E.

301 Erwin Hill Church Rd SE

Adairsville, GA 30103

Dorothea

A note from Dorothea’s daughter: My Mom is 74 years old and retired from healthcare at 60. She loves music, animals and painting.  In her younger days she was very spiritual, practicing reiki and doing reflexology. Mom has been living with me for the last few years due to her dementia and could really use some letters of encouragement and love!

Please send all letters to:

Dorothea’s Bundle

c/o Lindsay H.

66 North St, PO Box 24

Sutton West, ON  L0E 1R0

Canada

*Please see instructions for international postage

Robert

A note from Robert’s daughter: Robert is an 89 year old residing in Gibbstown NJ. He and my mother had been together since they were 12 years old. My mother passed away 2 months before their 70th anniversary a year ago. He just seems to be lost without her. He also is in mid stage Alzheimer’s. He checks the mail, often several times a day, and sits at the table reading the mail to his best friend, his little Yorkie dog. Unfortunately, all he seems to get are ads. Receiving real letters of love to his mailbox would mean everything to him, and his little best friend!

Please send all letters to:

Robert’s Bundle

c/o Diane K.

66 Troy Ave

Gibbstown, NJ 08027

Patricia

A note from Patricia's daughter: After 60 years of marriage moms heart broke into pieces when dad suddenly passed away. She has dementia, is declining and is now living in a memory care facility. She is the kindest, soft spoken lady, always trying to help others. Prior to this, she loved to garden, loves flowers, and birds! She gets a lot of joy from looking out the window and watching the birds! She is Catholic and believes in her faith, she was a “befriender” at church for years helping others going through life changes etc. Receiving a letter would give her joy and purpose!

Please send all letters to:

Patricia’s Bundle

c/o Dianne P.

75504 Elk Horn Dr

Bruce Township, MI 48065

Paul

A note from Paul’s daughter: Paul “Gunnery Sergeant” proudly served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, followed by 13 years with the Department of Defense and the Defense Logistics Agency. After retiring, he continued his commitment to service in the Marine Corps League. Paul has been married for 57 years, cherishes time with his grandchildren and has a deep love for Bulldogs, Penn State football and Elvis Presley. He coached many of our baseball teams over the years. A dedicated member of his community, he taught Sunday School, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to homebound individuals. Please show him some love through letters from around the country!

Please send all letters to:

Paul’s Bundle

c/o Julie B.

961 Lower Creek Rd

Milroy, PA 17063

Sandra

A note from Sandra’s daughter: Sandra lives in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She loves to read her Bible and tries to attend Bible study. Sandra also loves to do crafts. But the challenges of getting old seem to be making her depressed. She is in her apartment more than not. She is 81 years old. Sandra loves people and her lack of access like she used to have with people is definitely affecting her moods. She loves her family and grandkids. For her to receive happy mail from individuals would raise her spirits, make her smile and hopefully make her feel like she matters!

Please send all letters to:

Sandra’s Bundle

c/o Joddy T.

24188 548th Ave

Austin, MN 55912

Ruth

A note from Ruth’s granddaughter: Ruth is 95 years young and loves to read. She was born and raised in a small town in Northeastern Michigan and is one of 12 siblings. She loves to receive mail. Every holiday she calls to tell me how many cards she has received. She is very lonely these days, so this would be a great surprise for her! Please help cheer her up and feel less lonely.

Please send all letters to:

Ruth’s Bundle

c/o Michelle E.

215 Logans Loop

Wildersville, TN 38388

Retta

A note from Retta’s granddaughter: My Grandma is from Colorado and has recently moved into an assisted living home in northern Minnesota. Due to her dementia she no longer remembers many of us. My grandma had previously loved canning and preserving freshly grown produce from her large garden. She used to love diamond art, and recalled stories of her childhood in South Eastern CO as the youngest girl of 11 kids in their family. She is so thrilled when she receives personal mail, reading and rereading letters and cards has always been one of her favorite things to do! Her transition to assisted living has not been easy, she feels like she is somewhere unfamiliar, so receiving letters of love would bring so much joy to her life!

Please send all letters to:

Retta’s Bundle

c/o Sandy C.

734 16th Ave

Two Harbors, MN 55616

Rose

A note from Rose’s granddaughter: My grandma is 97 years old from Trinidad, CO. She still lives at home and myself and my mom care for her. She enjoys watching her favorite movies like Selena, Grease, Dirty Dancing and Home Alone.  She enjoys coloring, riding around and listening to music.  We have a large family but many of them do not call her or visit her so getting these letters would bring her joy!

Please send all letters to:

Rose’s Bundle

c/o Jessica L.

923 Nickerson Ave

Trinidad, CO 81082

Cathy

A note from Cathy’s daughter: My mother is from St. Louis and liked to go fishing, paint rocks as a pick me up for the local cancer center. She is a caretaker to my father, who is in remission from cancer, and to myself with health issues. She is 82 years young and such a trooper to have done this alone. She has recently fallen ill with COPD and has a hard time breathing. She really deserves recognition for all she does for everyone so selflessly but even more so to cheer her up and remind her how much she is loved.

Please send all letters to:

Cathy’s Bundle

c/o Christina N.

1434 Eva Way

Festus, MO 63028