The world needs more love letters
Let me start by thanking you all for the great conversation on last week’s Thank You Notes post. I was particularly intrigued by the input on handwritten notes versus texts. I admit I lean toward sending texts these days, as it is more immediate…and let’s face it, easier and cheaper.
That said, I still love sending and receiving mail…real mail, not bills or junk mail. I like seeing a loved one’s handwriting. It makes me feel closer to them. And I appreciate the thought that goes into choosing pretty stationery or just the right card.
While these thoughts were fresh on my mind, I learned of a non-profit organization that collects encouraging letters for people who are going through difficult times.
The World Needs More Love Letters is a global organization combining the power of social media with the art of letter writing to handwrite + mail love letters to people in need around the world.
https://www.moreloveletters.com
Anyone can nominate a person in need of love letters. The organization selects new recipients each month (or daily from December 4-15), and visitors to the site choose which ones they want to write to. You can also sign up to receive email notification whenever a new story is posted. The letters are sent to the nominator, who then reads through them to make sure they are appropriate, and passes them on to the recipient.
So far, The World Needs More Love Letters has distributed more than 250,000 letters to people in 73 countries. I sent my first letter to Nadine, who recently had her leg amputated and is spending the holidays healing in a rehabilitation center.
If this particular organization doesn’t suit your fancy, there are a number of other non-profits that collect letters for people in specific situations; for example, those recently diagnosed with cancer, refugees, hospitalized children, veterans, and the elderly.
If you like writing letters, and are looking for a way to spread love throughout the world, this just may be the answer you’ve been looking for!
Your turn
- Is there a charity or volunteer organization you would like us to know about?
- Do you typically print or write in cursive…or a strange hybrid, like me?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
What a lovely organization – and good on you for participating Christie. I think what you’ve said is part of the reason why I still love birthday cards – they mean that a loved one has taken the time to choose a card and write something thoughtful in it – that spells love to me. You’ve also reminded me that it’s time to send the grandgirls a Christmas card (seeing I don’t do Christmas cards anymore – another loss in this world of FB greetings!)
I’ve given up sending Christmas cards as well, Leanne…part of simplifying the holidays. I do enjoy when people send me cards, especially the ones with photos of their families, or as you said, those where the sender has written a personal message inside.
Hi Christie, oh my gosh – what a beautiful concept and organisation! It brought tears to my eyes reading this. It’s just such a lovely idea. When my life settles down a bit I would love to send a letter to someone that needs a little love. I’m sure Nadine will appreciate your thoughts and time put into your letter to her. I just love this whole concept. Thanks so much for linking up with #WWWhimsy – have a wonderful week and I hope to see you again next week! xo
I felt the same way, Min, when I learned of this organization. It was mentioned in a book I am reading called Humankind. One of the things I love about it is there is no pressure to write a certain number of letters or on a schedule. You can choose to write when a person’s story resonates with you and when your schedule allows. When the time is right for you, I hope you will give it a try.
As always, thank you for hosting the #WWWhimsy linkup!
What a kind and generous idea this is. I loved sending cards I’d personally written on and inherited this trait from my Dad. A great letter writer, who cannot see to write or read any more.
However, I have now stopped doing this except to our close family. I have expended so much of my emotional energy in our last 12 months and now need to be better self-caring. And I am.
I would have jumped at the chance to do something like this in the past but I have changed for good health reasons.
I loved reading this and do cherish some cards and letters I’ve kept fromy my family.
Denyse
I can certainly understand where you are coming from, Denyse. You must care for yourself first and be mindful to keep a balance between the energy that is coming in and going out. This letter-writing activity is perfect for where I am in my life at this time. Take care of yourself and your family!
Hi Christie, I missed your last post so I just went back to read that one first. I love handwritten cards, notes, and letters, but unfortunately, it is a dying art. I still send handwritten condolence notes and have sent handwritten Christmas cards until this year when I finally decided to give it up. As we get older, we have ‘pulled back’ on Christmas in many ways, but we still support a few local charities this time of year.
I admire your involvement in this worthwhile cause and am sure that your letter will be uplifting to its recipient.
I can relate, Suzanne. We have also simplified our holiday commitments over the last few years, including eliminating Christmas cards. In addition, I’ve severely cut back on the number of birthday cards I send. I do like to give handwritten cards for special occasions or achievements and occasionally “just because.” When I read about this opportunity to support people who could use some extra love with a simple letter, it felt like the perfect fit for me.
The first thing that caught my eye was your fantastic title. Then to read the post, I have to admit to feeling very sad for the young girl in rehab. This is a fantastic idea. My partner and I have no family close by, but we are fine, as we have Christmas lunch with friends, who also have no family near. I can only imagine what it must be like for some people who are lonely at this time of the year.
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer. I also feel for people who are away from home for the holidays, especially those who are facing health issues. I try to spread some joy wherever I can. We will be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family, so I am really looking forward to that. I’m glad you have friends nearby to celebrate with…and each other, of course. Enjoy!
Hi Christie, I love this idea of letters and will look at the site shortly. I hear you on Christmas cards, we no longer send many but I do love getting birthday cards, especially if they’re handwritten! Thanks for sharing this concept with us and wishing you well for the month ahead. x
Thank you, Debbie. Here’s to a joyful December!
Hi Christie, Thanks for sharing The World Needs More Love Letters link. I’m sure Nadine would appreciate your letter. I am a hybrid. Sometimes I print and sometimes I write in cursive. Have a wonderful weekend! #WWWhimsy
Hello Natalie. Sometimes I mix print and cursive all in one document. And as much as I like the convenience of typing on a keyboard, there is something about putting pen to paper that I love.
Christie,
Nice notes, letters and cards are the best kind of mail! What a wonderful organization! Thanks for letting us know about it. Once I learned Gregg shorthand, my penmanship (which wasn’t that great to begin with) went all to you know where. I’m definitely a hybrid chicken scratcher! Mona
Yes, Mona! I forgot to include shorthand scratchings in the mix. I too learned shorthand in high school and have used it throughout my life for taking notes, both in business and in my personal life.
I love the idea of writing letters to those in need!
I still have many love letters written to me from mom as I was growing up, and also from you and others when I had cancer. I treasure them, and they warm my heart all over again when I reread them. But I’m sentimental and will even screenshot an especially caring text or email.
I’ve kept and re-read many letters and cards sent to me as well, Cindy. I like the idea of screenshotting special texts or emails. I keep the originals, but they can be hard to find after a while. I love you, sister! XO
This is such a beautiful idea and I will definitely look into this in the new year once the overwhelm of Christmas is over! We don’t send handwritten Christmas cards anymore and donate the money we’d have spent on cards and stamps to charity instead. However, I still send handwritten birthday cards, thank you cards and just because cards all year round because call me old fashioned but I don’t think you can beat a handwritten note, can you?!
What a great idea, Sammie…donating the money saved from not sending Christmas cards to charity. Thanks for sharing that. And I agree with you on enjoying a lovely handwritten card. If that makes us old-fashioned, I’m okay with that.