“You get to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and realize that there are who struggle more than you, that there are people who need more of those support,” said Mia Handschmacher, vice-president of communications for Letters of Love. “Being able to put cards out there that are going to help people mentally, even though we can’t help them physically, I think is really important.”
Letters of Love is an organization that aspires to spread positivity one card at a time. The organization was first created in 2018 by Grace Berbig. Berbig was inspired by the notes her mother would give her in her lunch, and decided to form a club that would take a simple positive message, and share it with those who need it most, children in hospitals. Since then, the club took off and now has 284 chapters across the United States, with chapters throughout 18 countries.
In 2023, Millersville student Kymari Clarke brought the organization to the university, having been inspired by how people can come together, create a positive space, and send love to those who need it. Since then the club has grown, and they plan to keep this momentum going.
Letters of Love co-president Mia Smith shared that the club hopes to expand their reach on campus and collaborate with other campus organizations, especially ones that they have not worked with yet. “It is really just a good cause, who doesn’t want to make cards for children in hospitals,” Smith said, and also shared that the club aims to get more people involved that normally have not been.
Letters of Love allows students to take a break, be creative, and bring some positivity to others. The club meets once a month, allowing students with busy schedules to be involved.
Brian O’Neill, the club’s vice-president of finance, said, “You can take ten minutes out of your day to make a card and spread some joy to somebody else. It doesn’t take a lot of work or creativity, it just takes the kindness of your heart.”
Students’ hard work is celebrated every spring semester with the Letters of Love Gala. This event is held to celebrate the hard work students have put into the club, along with announcing the amount of cards donated. The event is a way for the club to come together one last time, and recognize the impact that they have been able to make throughout the school year.
Letters of Love has meetings scheduled for Feb. 24, March 31, and April 21. For updates regarding the club, information can be found on their Instagram, @lettersofloveville, and on their Get Involved page.
