Hello Wonderful Students,
Every week I get to write you these letters, and it makes me so happy to be able to communicate with you. Letters have the power to connect people and spread love, just like we learned reading Can I Be Your Dog?
For this week's challenge, YOU get to write the letters!
There are many people out there who are feeling lonely, nervous, or sad, especially elderly people living in care facilities away from their families. You have the power to help them feel loved. The organization Love for the Elderly collects letters from people like you, all around the world, and mails them out to elderly people living in nursing homes, hospices, and residential facilities. Read the guidelines here, then follows these directions to help you write your letter:
Step 1: Get your materials:
📄 A piece of paper or blank card
✏ Something to write with
A stamp
✉ An envelope
(or, grab another piece of paper and watch these instructions for making your own envelope)
Step 2: Start your letter with a greeting. I always write "Hello Wonderful Students", but since you don't know the person you're writing to, you will need to pick a different greeting to start your letter.
Examples: "Hello", "Hi there", or "Hello Wonderful Person".
Step 3: Think about what makes you happy and write about it in your letter! Here are some ideas:
- Your favorite books
- Something pretty or interesting you saw on a walk around your neighborhood
- Things that make you happy when other people say them to you, or reminders/advice like "You are loved"
- A drawing
- Words you know in a language other than English and what they mean
- A joke or riddle
Step 4: End your letter with a salutation. I always end mine with "Love & Books, Mrs. Moss". You can end yours with whatever you choose. And don't forget your first name!
Examples:"Sincerely", "Love", "Peace"
Step 5: Put your letter in an envelope. On the envelope, put a stamp, your name/address, and this address of the organization that mails them out to the elderly people:
Love for the Elderly
P.O. Box 24248
Cleveland, OH 44124
Love & Books & Letters,
Mrs. Moss
PS- If you're interested in writing more letters, here's a list of organizations collecting letters to send out to lots of different people who need a little extra love, like children living away from their families, people with cancer, and people going through a stressful period who've been nominated by their friends/family: https://www.writeoncampaign.com/write-to-those-in-need