With stickers, stamps, and warmth in her heart, Dawn Forbes (DF) took part in her first Day of Giving from the comfort of her couch. She joined Love for Our Elders to write and decorate 20 letters for seniors experiencing isolation, proving that mobility doesn’t limit generosity.
AC: What organization or local cause did you volunteer for?
DF: https://loveforourelders.org/letters I chose to use my time to volunteer to write Love Letters for Our Elders. I wrote 20 love letters to elderly individuals and used stamps, stickers and markers to decorate them. I’m not much of an artist, but I hope it will make them smile! These letters go to people who don’t have family and/or a lot of support. These letters are meant to brighten their day and help them feel a little less alone in the world. 🙂 It is the perfect volunteer opportunity for people who have limited mobility like me.
AC: Can you please provide an overview of their mission?
DF: Their 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.
DF: Yes, this was my first time volunteering for this organization, and it was such a positive experience. I hope these letters bring as much joy to the recipients as it brought to me while making them!
AC: Where there any requirements for this type of volunteerism?
DF: The guidelines shared were the following:
- 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.
- Avoid religion and controversial topics. Your letter should be meaningful to anyone
- 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!
- 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?
DF: I have never participated in the Day of Giving before because my physical limitations make it difficult for me to volunteer for most organizations. Michelle Dunton, a fellow TEC, also has limited mobility and told me about this amazing opportunity that she does each year.
AC: Can you tell us about your volunteer experience? What did you do? Did your time volunteering meet your expectations?
DF: It was so special to be able to spread joy and love to elderly individuals from the comfort of my couch! It was an amazing experience, and I will continue to write these letters throughout the years.
AC: What would you like to share to encourage others to volunteer their time and energy locally?
DF: I would encourage everyone to volunteer their time to this organization. They can write one letter or 20 letters; each one makes a difference in someone’s life!
AC: Is there anything else that you would like to share about your experience?
DF: It was a very rewarding experience, and I was very blessed to hear about it and participate. I am grateful to my company for giving us this opportunity to do a Day of Giving each year.
Dawn’s story shows that accessibility and impact can go hand in hand. Whether writing one letter or twenty, her kindness ripples outward. To explore more stories like Dawn’s, visit the Inspiring Forward collection.