So little, yet means so much....

Snail Mail for Seniors is an odd concept in a way; writing a letter or sending a card to an unknown person.  I know that I actually do address the envelopes, add the stamps, and put them in a mailbox, but then what?  Do these cards actually end up in someone's hands?

I never intended or expected to have people write back to us, but one day I got a letter in the P.O. box .  I opened it and found a small piece of lined paper with this note: "Snail Mail friends, Thank you for the card. Please write again, I enjoy hearing from you." It was signed "Bobby from Tuscola County Medical Care."

Wow, I cannot tell you how much that meant to me, and I immediately wrote about the thank-you to my volunteers.  I also wrote a personal note to Bobby on his next card...thanking him for thanking us!!  :)  Bobby wrote me one other time about six months later thanking us again, and asking us not to forget him.  Then, last year, the activity director gave me an updated list and Bobby's name wasn't on it.  I knew he had passed.

I have received other feedback over the past four years, and I try to always pass it on to the people who help supply the cards for our seniors, so they can also get that heart-warming feeling that their cards do matter to someone!

I received an e-mail this past week from the activity director at Tendercare in Traverse Citym notifying me of the passing of one of their residents.

"The cards brought her great joy and often she would read and reread them," the director wrote. The activity director from Superior Woods in Ypsilanti said, " Thank You!  Many of these people only get mail from your volunteers!" Metron of Greenville: "Snail Mail is so fun – we greatly appreciate all of the hard work and effort!" Metron of Cedar Springs note said: "This is such a blessing to receive Snail Mail! It truly gives our residents a sense of independence and love. Thank You!"  A St. John's Senior Center in Detroit note said: "Your mail is often the only mail our residents ever receive, thank you!"

There are many more like this, so I hope it reinforces the fact that something so little as a handmade card can mean so much to someone. Locally, we deliver cards to the two locations in Canton, MediLodge and Brighton Gardens in Plymouth, plus facilities in Westland, Livonia, Novi and many other metro Detroit areas.

So, have your kids grab the crayons and some paper and start creating some cheery cards for us to send out.  All cards may be left at the  at 2000 N Canton Center Rd., just south of Ford.  It is all of the wonderful volunteers that make this program possible!