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 500,000 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 April letter requests

Read elder bios written by the person who nominated them and choose which elder(s) you’d like to write. All letters should be stamped and mailed with love by April 30, 2024. We post new elders who want mail from you on the 1st of every month.

John

A note from John’s daughter-in-law: John loves music, dancing, classic cars, good looking women and any time spent near the water. His doggies are his favorite, next to his cherished bride of over 50 years. May she rest in peace. He enjoys playing pool and cutting up with his grandson Everett.

Please send all letters to:

John’s Bundle 

c/o Laura W.

4324 Southlea Drive

Winterville, NC 28590

Dorothy

A note from Dorothy’s granddaughter: My grandmother just turned 92 years young and is the light of my life! She was a single mother to ten children and has been through so much throughout her life. She is the strongest woman I know. She has been having health issues and recently had two surgeries. After the surgery, she started to have dementia symptoms and I can tell she is scared. She has given so much love in this world and I want her to feel that love in return!

Please send all letters to:

Dorothy ‘s Bundle

c/o Melissa Bond

138 Eason Farm Drive 

Zebulon, NC 27597

Geoff  

A note from Geoff’s granddaughter: Grandad Geoff lost his wife many years ago and ended up in a rest home quite young after a sudden stroke. Overnight he lost his home, car and job. Grandad is like a dad to me. He used to love hosting family get-togethers and his house was known as the party house. He enjoyed traveling and reading with my Nana. He now enjoys going for walks over at the mall and listening to the news. Grandad feels quite lonely in his rest home. Unfortunately I live on the other side of the country so I can't see him as much.

Please send all letters to:

Geoff’s Bundle

c/o Kaylie G.

2 Lumbarda Drive

Huapai

Auckland 0810

New Zealand

*Please see instructions for international postage

Judy

A note from Judy’s granddaughter: My Grandma Judy is from Elwood, Indiana where she grew up with her many sisters and brothers. In the last few years she has lost a lot of her siblings, and quite a few best friends she has known most of her life. Her best friend was recently re-diagnosed with cancer and it’s been very hard on her. For many years she was also my grandpas full time caregiver before he passed, she left her job of 25+ years that she loved at JCPenney to care for him. She is a very sweet lady with so much love to give, most of all she loves to bake, do puzzles, and watch hallmark movies. I’ve always thought she has beautiful handwriting and is a wonderful card and letter writer, and I think she would love to have a penpal!

Please send all letters to:

Judy’s Bundle

c/o Peyton G.

20259 Lorain Road 101d 

Fairview Park, OH 44226

Martha

A note from Martha’s granddaughter: My grandma is a very loving and sweet woman. She was conditioned her whole life to be dependent on someone else, and that someone else eventually cheated on her and left her to her lonesome. She is very dependent on others but she likes to do things herself when she can. She loves to shop and is always thinking about others when she does. She often sends clothes and money to her family in Mexico. My grandma works hard everyday to cook for everyone in her home and clean up all by herself. She is hard working all day and loves to relax. She is 70 years old and still loves to keep her house as clean as possible. She can only read and speak Spanish. She loves to watch wholesome movies on Netflix, sweets, coffee, spending time with her grandbabies (she loves kids). She loves to go thrifting as browsing relaxes her.

Please send all letters to:

Martha’s Bundle

c/o Anndrea V.

6000 University Parkway

San Bernardino, CA 92407

Joan & Bill 

My grandparents have been together for 64 years. They love to play cards together and do simple things, like sitting by the water and going grocery shopping. As their health deteriorates, they aren't able to do most of their hobbies that they used to do, and are more and more confined to their house. While they are fortunate to have grandkids and a loving family, I know it would make their days so much brighter to receive a letter from you. Give them something different to look forward to and hopefully bring some surprise into their lives.

Please send all letters to:

Joan & Bill’s Bundle

c/o Alexa Madden

63 Trommel Drive 

Mahwah, NJ 07430

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

Nancy

A note from Nancy’s niece: My aunt is 91 years young! She is so proud of her 6 great grandchildren and 5 grandchildren. She loves going to church and the movies and is a big fan of sweets. She was an avid sailor, participating in race teams for the 'Round Long Island' race, as well as the 'Lady Skipper's' race. She taught me to cross country ski in her late 60's and continued the sport until she was 88. She is the light of every room she enters and a bit flirty haha!

Please send all letters to:

Nancy’s Bundle

c/o Jamie Rodriguez

34 John Street

Lodi, NJ 07644

Jan

A note from Jan’s friend: Jan has a cat named Taz and loves the Steelers. She fell and hurt her shoulder, she's had two surgeries and now she has to have a full replacement shoulder surgery. With this she's not been able to get out of her house much, she'll spend days not going anywhere or talking to anyone. And I know she is lonely. She deserves to be reminded that the world cares about her.

Please send all letters to:

Jan’s Bundle

c/o Julie Smith

10300 McBride Road

Marysville, OH 43040