For Michelle Dunton (MD), writing letters through Love for Our Elders is more than a one-time gesture, it’s a heartfelt tradition. She crafts each note with care, often aligning them with the recipient’s interests and even including student artwork.
AC: What organization or local cause did you volunteer for?
MD: The organization I donated my time to was Love for our Elders.
AC: Can you please provide an overview of their mission?
MD: Our mission is to alleviate social isolation among older adults through handwritten letters and intergenerational connections.
AC: Was this your first time volunteering for this organization or cause? Please elaborate.
MD: This was not my first time volunteering for this organization. I volunteer multiple times a year and have nominated my own father for an elder.
AC: Where there any requirements for this type of volunteerism?
MD: 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 and controversial topics. Your letter should be meaningful to 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 reply. We want to ensure recipients don’t feel burdened by the need to reply.
AC: Why did you choose to volunteer here for your Day of Giving?
MD: I chose to volunteer with this organization because it helps an often overlooked member of our community to feel loved and appreciated. Aging can be extremely lonely, but there is so much to learn and gain from our elderly.
AC: Can you tell us about your volunteer experience? What did you do? Did your time volunteering meet your expectations?
MD: I really enjoy reading about the nominated elders. I like to make my letters align with their likes to keep them interested. I have many who I make ongoing pen pals with. I even request drawings from local schools to add to the letters as well.
AC: What would you like to share to encourage others to volunteer their time and energy locally?
MD: I share this organization with members of my team. I want them to reach out to those who feel neglected.
AC: Is there anything else that you would like to share about your experience?
MD: All it takes is your time, paper, pen, and the cost of a stamp to make someone’s day better.
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Michelle’s ongoing commitment shows the lasting power of handwritten kindness. Every letter sent is a reminder that someone cares. To explore more stories like Michelle’s, visit the Inspiring Forward collection.