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 May 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 May 31, 2024. We post new elders who want mail from you on the 1st of every month.

P.S. — We’ve posted these early! So grab the addresses for April here, if you need.

Betty

A note from Betty’s granddaughter: Betty is originally from Virginia, but has lived all over the place. She lives alone in independent living now. She loves to read, especially mysteries, historical fiction, etc. Betty is very talkative and loves dogs. Lately she has been a bit down, and would be so glad to receive letters. She would love to hear from people and it would make her feel less lonely. She used to knit, but does not do that as much now. She is very sweet and deserving of these letters.

Please send all letters to:

Betty’s Bundle

c/o Anna Beth

2226 Whitman Road

Raleigh, NC 27607

Diana

A note from Diana’s granddaughter: My grandma has hobbies and interests that include antique dealing, gardening, rescuing stray dogs and cats, and skydiving. She was born in Iowa, raised in Southern California, later moved to Idaho where she dedicates her time to her garden, her rescue animals, and her grandchildren. She is 76 years old but a child at heart. She has a boisterous sense of humor that she desires to share with all. She craves a sense of community and people to share connections with. She is a social butterfly who has had restraints come to her the last few years due to her age. I want her to receive the love that she has given to me. Receiving letters from kind strangers would bring tears to both her and my eyes.

Please send all letters to:

Diana’s Bundle

c/o Natalie W.

1111 E Opal Ave.

Nampa, ID 83686

Nelda

A note from Nelda’s granddaughter: Nelda likes to listen to audiobooks to pass the time or listen to sermons on TV. She loves to laugh, is from Louisiana, and for the last 5 years have had to slow down 100% due to being bound to a wheelchair. Her vision is also fading, which makes it hard to be at home alone, not being able to read or function too much without assistance. She once loved line dancing, going to church events, and visiting everyone she possibly could. She has taken in many relatives throughout her life as a caregiver and has the biggest heart. She is a sassy bundle of joy and it’s been hard knowing she is alone most of the time. Letters will help lift her spirits. 

Please send all letters to:

Nelda’s Bundle

c/o Danielle O.

143 Lipps Road 

Leesville, LA 71446

Lois 

A note from Lois’s daughter: Lois will be 90 years old this July! She raised four children and worked well into her 80's, even volunteering in local schools to read with students. She grew up on a farm in Ohio and loves to garden, read, and bird watch. Lately, she loves watching old westerns and The Andy Griffith Show. She was always wonderful at writing letters and sending cards, but she's no longer able to do that, so I'm hoping this wonderful program will help her receive a ton of mail.

Please send all letters to:

Lois’s Bundle

c/o Shannon H.

73 F Street 

Hull, MA 02045

Harold

A note from Harold’s daughter: Harold likes watching shows on TV. He especially likes Hallmark movies and The Chosen. He has 2 cats that he adores, named Zena and Connie. His soulmate is his wife Cathy, who he loves her to the moon and back. He would enjoy hearing from you.

Please send all letters to:

Harold’s Bundle

c/o Melissa H. 

1225 Solstice Lane 

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Janis

A note from Janis’s daughter-in-law: My 83 year old mother-in-law is a native of Kingston, NY. She is the youngest of 12 siblings of a large Italian family. She is a devout Catholic and enjoys cooking. She is experiencing the onset of dementia and depression and really needs a pick-me-up. Despite her own issues, she still cares for her brother and sister-in-law who are in their 90s. She is always caring for someone else and deserves some TLC of her own!

Please send all letters to:

Janis’s Bundle

c/o Jennifer W.

4424 Pleasant Hill Dr. 

Jacksonville, FL  32225

Audrey

A note from Audrey’s granddaughter: My granny, Audrey, turned 100 last fall! She is very social and loves hearing others' stories, so after she recently moved into assisted living, she's been eager to connect with more people. She remembers even the most minute details about everyone and loves keeping track of her enormous family and even her friends' great-grandchildren. Some of Audrey's greatest passions over the years have been cooking and baking for large groups, tending to her flowers, attending church, reading novels, crocheting baby blankets, birdwatching, admiring Lake Champlain, and spending quality time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She uses her iPad to send emails now, but a letter about your interests, family, or a nice garden you saw would make her immensely happy!

Please send all letters to:

Audrey’s Bundle

c/o Barbara G.

8957 Route 9

Chazy, NY 12921

Beth

A note from Beth’s granddaughter: My grandmother Beth is a very sweet lady, and unfortunately she has chronic fatigue so she gets tired easily. It’s hard for her to keep her energy up. She loves to garden and cook, and she has two sons and one daughter, and a combined 7 granddaughters and only 1 grandson! She loves the beach, is very musical and loves theater. She has lived in Northern California for the past 10 years. Since her son’s death in 2022, she hasn’t had much happiness in her life. I think these letters would bring her a lot of joy! 

Please send all letters to:

Beth’s Bundle

c/o Maisie C. 

4914 Gann Trail

Raleigh, NC 27612

Cheryl

A note from Cheryl’s daughter: My mom is from Plainville, Massachusetts. She had to move full-time to a nursing facility last year, her home had to be sold and her dog had to come live with me. She was a service specialist at Wrentham Developmental Center for decades and brought her clients shopping, home for dinner and to activities on campus. She loved many of them like her own children. My mom was so crafty and could make a box of recyclables end up looking like a Chihuly sculpture. She has early dementia, many other health problems and is withdrawing from life, I believe because she feels she has lost her purpose. I think just knowing there are people who are thinking of her will help buoy her heart a lot.

Please send all letters to:

Cheryl’s Bundle

c/o Jami T. 

434 Sleepy Hollow Farm Road

Warwick, RI 02886