1. Letters must be legible (large print). Handwritten is preferred. No worries if you are not artistic– make your card or letter as what you would like to receive.

2. Avoid religion. Please refrain from including anything religious in your letters, such as religious quotes, words like "God," etc.
3. Exclude the date (day, month, and year).
4. Embrace creativity! Recipients love it when the letters are personal. We encourage you to make your letters detailed, thoughtful and heartfelt.

5. Be kind and thoughtful (more than talking about yourself). This is a one-way letter exchange, meaning you may not receive a letter back, so remember that no reciprocation attached is part of the beauty of your act of kindness, and the recipients do not feel burdened by feeling obligated or being unable to respond.

6. Envelope your letters if you can! It’s so much nicer to open enveloped cards, don’t you think? If you are sending more than 1 letter, leave your enveloped letters unsealed and unstamped and put them in a larger envelope or box to send.

7. Share your act of kindness! We love seeing photos of your letter writing, and it helps promote our cause more than you know. Tag us #makeaseniorsmile, #positivemessage, #makingadifference, #helpingseniors etc. Post as a visitor on FB page for Elderwerks.

8. Send us as many cards as you would like! We accept letters year-round, so there is no deadline for when you must send them by. Seniors that are isolated are so happy for mail.

9. Pen-pal partners may be possible. Some seniors may want to write back. Get your parent or guardian’s permission. We may be able to match you with a senior that writes back. Put a post-it or separate note in with your letter and we will try to find a match. IMPORTANT – Please sign your card and include a self-addressed stamped envelope so your pen-pal can easily write back.

 

If you or your organization would like to participate in the Make a Senior Smile Program, please fill out this form. Thank you for your support!