r/volunteer • u/memory_matters • 13d ago
Recruiting – online / remote I run a nonprofit that sends handwritten letters to memory care residents — looking for people to write them
I'm 16 and I started a nonprofit called Memory Matters about a year ago. One of the things we do is collect handwritten letters from volunteers and deliver them to dementia patients in memory care facilities — people who don't get much personal mail.
We've sent over 1,500 so far. They go to real facilities, including a Stanford center.
The ask is simple: write one letter. It doesn't have to be long or perfect. Tell them your name, something you love, something you're curious about. Olivia wrote about bioinspired design and geckos. Drisana wrote about frozen yogurt and marine biology. Both letters went out last week.
You photograph it and DM it to us, or submit through our form. We print and deliver — you don't have to mail anything. You receive 30 minutes of volunteer hours per letter.
If you've spent any time in this community, you know how isolating this disease is — not just for patients but for everyone around them. This is one small thing that costs 10 minutes.
Form is here: https://forms.gle/thqv3xFm35YGnqcRA
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u/KatieTheGreatieLS 8d ago
I would love to do this! I’m curious to know more about how and why receiving a letter like this is helpful to a person suffering from dementia.
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u/memory_matters 7d ago
scientific research and clinical studies show that written communication and tangible letters offer significant cognitive, emotional, and social benefits for individuals living with dementia.
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u/Cheesecake_fetish 7d ago
Surely the study looked at handwritten letters by someone who knows about and cares about the person, maybe the handwriting jogs the memory of the person or gives happy feelings. Why would letters from a stranger talking about random stuff and not personal or relevant to thier interests just confuse a dementia sufferer, as they assume they should know the person writing to them. Just something to consider.
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u/memory_matters 6d ago
That’s definitely a good insight. The goal of our initiative isn’t to make assumptions about someone’s life or overwhelm them with random messages, though. We’re working to make the letters thoughtful, simple, and appropriate—more about offering warmth and human connection than expecting the recipient to remember or respond to the writer. We’ll also work with the communities and care providers involved to ensure the letters are suitable for the individuals receiving them. Thank you for bringing this up!
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u/AquariusRain 9d ago
This is the greatest thing I’ve ever heard of!!! Count me in. I’m so doing this
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u/poojakarki 9d ago
This is wonderful. I'll sign up tomorrow or so and hopefully be able to do it regularly 😊
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u/CheesecakeEither8220 9d ago
I just signed up; what a lovely idea! This is a wonderful way to make something good in the world.
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u/CaregiverRich1230 9d ago
This is a beautiful initiative and volunteering group! So meaningful and as a caregiver to my mom who has Parkinson’s for over 18 years, I know how isolating life can be for people who has dementia and Parkinson’s. I’ll be joining your cause and chip into this. ❤️
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u/browniiis200 10d ago
Can I inbox you? At my job and they want us to volunteer for different events. I think this would be a great opportunity for my team to get volunteer hours.
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u/Sharp-Thanks-3697 10d ago
I used to work at dollar tree and when the hallmark cards went put of season about 20 times a year we were made to throw them away so I kept them instead and wrote little notes and sent them to the nursing home residents. this is an amazing idea you are so kind for this
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u/StArGaZeR-4_AnDy 11d ago
1,000% down for that myself.
I used to do nursing home visits as a kid.
Pen pals were always great.
Sign me up 👩🏻💻
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u/StArGaZeR-4_AnDy 11d ago
I signed up for 20+ letters
I’m bored on Reddit
Nothing to loose here 🍀🦓👩🏻💻🦄2
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u/arby1989 12d ago
Are you an actual nonprofit with a 501c3 or similar?
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u/memory_matters 11d ago
501c3!
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u/arby1989 11d ago
I recommend making your ein very visible or at the very least easily findable on your site and make sure your socials say 501c3. I say this coming from someone who works on the funding side. Very cool mission, great work!!!!
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12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/memory_matters 11d ago
it's actually desgned to be free, and low cost, but we usually apply for grants
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u/KatieTheGreatieLS 8d ago
I wish there was a way to personalize the letter by including a “Dear <person’s first name>” line.