Scribbling Good

I’m a staunch believer in doing good in the world.  I know I’m not the only one, so I’ve created this page to curate a collection of opportunities for spreading joy, making connections, and helping make the world a better place through scribbling, letter-writing, and other related pursuits.  The opportunities are grouped by whether they are time sensitive (Scribble Quickly!) or ongoing (Leisurely Pens).

Scribble Quickly!

No rush today!  Take your time and peruse the ongoing opportunities listed below.

Leisurely Pens

Write, Stamp & Send

Girls Love Mail – “The goal of Girls Love Mail is to give the gift of a hand-written letter to a woman newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Anyone with a story to share or desire to encourage another woman can write a letter.”

MailArt Call for Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Hospital Residents – An ongoing monthly initiative to “send MailArt to adult, long term skilled nursing rehabilitation patients and long term care residents in a very large hospital in San Francisco.”

Mail a Smile – A growing community of “kind, artistic people who all strive to send their mail art to someone in need of a smile.”  Each new themed challenge is posted to the blog along with information about the challenge’s recipient.

Operation Gratitude – An initiative to get letters and care packages into the hands of active U.S. military personnel, wounded warriors, and veterans.

Postcard Happiness Project – An initiative to allow people to send “a little postal kindness” to those who are in need of a boost.  In addition to sending postcards to the people featured on the site, you can also contact the project’s creator, Tatjana Buisson, to suggest possible recipients.

Post Pals – “Post a smile on a sick child’s face.”  This fantastic U.K. initiative uses the postal system to brighten the day for children living with chronic illness.  Post Pals was started by Vikki who was inspired by the positive impact of the many cards and letters she received when first bedbound due to severe ME.

The World Needs More Love Letters – This project seeks letter writers to help send bundles of  “handwritten love letters, to strangers in need all over the world.”  You can get involved in this outpouring of positivity by contributing a general love letter, responding to a specific call for letters, leaving love letters in public places, or becoming part of the Team of Love Letter Writers.  Check out the Starter Kit and The Do’s and Yikes! Stop That Right Now’s of Love Letter Writing for inspiration and ideas.

Reduce, Reuse, Resend

Holocaust Stamp Project – The students at Foxborough Regional Charter School have undertaken a project to collect 11 million canceled stamps to provide a concrete representation of the number of people who were victims of the Holocaust.  They accept stamps from individuals and businesses from anywhere in the world.   “Each stamp that is collected symbolizes one wasted life, “thrown away” as having no value, much the same way as an envelope bearing a cancelled stamp postage stamp is tossed in the trash. … Our goal is to honor the memories the 11 million Holocaust victims and to celebrate the lives of those who still survive today and bravely share their powerful personal memories and stories.”

Recycled Card Program – Give used greeting cards a second life by donating them to the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Recycled Card Program.  Participants will use them to make new cards that will then be sold to support the work St. Jude’s Ranch does with abused, abandoned and neglected children and families.  Be sure to check out the donation guidelines as there are a few restrictions on what brands of cards can be accepted.

Postal Exchanges

Art Cards for Kids – Art Cards for Kids is an artistic collaboration started by two artists who work with kids.  The site provides ideas for getting started making art cards and invites those who are interested to contact the artists about doing art trading card exchanges.  Currently they are looking for other student art groups who want to do exchanges, but they are open to ideas, suggestions, and interest in expanding the idea to incorporate individuals who are interested in participating.  Check out their resources and let them know if you’re interested in doing an exchange.