Angel Card Project: Charity Calls For Volunteers To Write Christmas Cards To People Who Are Lonely

Loneliness at Christmas has always been a particularly prevalent issue, but no more so than in 2020, with the coronavirus pandemic ripping families apart.

So, we thought it was important to find a way to reach out to those in need this year - introducing The Angel Card Project.

Founded in the US by volunteer Mark Martin, the organisation encourages volunteers to sign up to write as many cards as they wish from a database of lonely individuals, nominated by the public.

These could be elderly people, alone because of the pandemic, army veterans or simply people who had fallen on hard times and found themselves without a support network.

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And the idea of the project was to encourage "sending love, one Christmas card at a time".

Our hearts.

First started in 2001, the project originally only had 20 volunteers and ran on a very small scale.

But now its amassed thousands of supporters from countries across the globe, all of whom want to pick up their pens and offer their support to the cause.

Last year, they sent out a whopping 71,000 Christmas cards, and they hope to surpass this number next month.

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To sign up, all you have to do is put your name and email into the website and you'll be contacted.

Not only is the initiative a great group project for schools, religious groups or businesses to get on board with, it's equally great for individuals who want to do a good deed.

Each volunteer is responsible for their own card and postage, and will be tasked with making sure they get to the post office on time.

You can send as many cards as you want - be that one or 100 - and the organisation promise that everybody on their list will get a card by Christmas.

While the Angel Card Project is encouraging cards only, it does add that those who wish to send presents can do so at their own discretion.

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Organiser Mark said: "We want every individual in need to know that they have purpose, they are cared about and they are loved.

"If we can reach just one person and leave a positive lasting influence in their life, then our mission has served it's purpose well."

As well as volunteering to send out cards, you can also submit a person to be written to, if you think they need an extra boost this year.

The address of the individual must be from the US, Canada or the Army Post Office/ Fleet Post Office, so those from the UK can't currently get in on the action.

Facebook The Angel Card Project)

It's also worth noting that if the card is for a minor, (aka, someone under the age of 18), their parent or legal guardian's info must be on the letter, too.

You can volunteer up to three people by November 27th, and all applications to write to a lonely person must be received by December 1st.

To find out more click here.

Topics: Christmas, Coronavirus

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

@joannafreedman