Winter Letters of Hope
Winter Letters of Hope is a seasonal program designed to reach individuals who may be facing loneliness, grief, hardship, or other difficult circumstances during the winter months. Hope Receivers receive a Letter of Hope in their U.S. mailbox each week from anonymous Hope Writers who take time to offer encouragement, kindness, and reminders that they matter.
HOW IT WORKS
Participation in Winter Letters of Hope is simple.
Sign Up
Choose whether you would like to participate as a Hope Writer or Hope Receiver and complete the appropriate registration form below.
Write From the Heart
Hope Writers can begin with “Dear Friend,” and share encouragement, kindness, personal reflections, or words of hope. Writers never receive personal information about Hope Receivers, or vice versa.
Send Your Hope Letter to Us
Mail your completed letter to AASP THEY MATTER
Winter Letters of Hope Program using the mailing instructions provided to registered Hope Writers or use an approved program drop-off location provided in your welcome letter.
We Carry the Hope Forward
Our team reviews Hope Letters for program guidelines and handles their distribution to registered Hope Receivers.
Hope Receivers
Hope Receivers are individuals who would appreciate receiving encouragement in their U.S. mailbox during the winter months. Throughout the program, participating Hope Receivers may receive weekly Letters of Hope written by anonymous Hope Writers.
Your personal information is handled by the AASP THEY MATTER team and is never provided to Hope Writers.
Whether you are experiencing loneliness, grief, isolation, a difficult season, or simply need a little encouragement, Winter Letters of Hope was created for moments like these.
Receive an anonymous Letter of Hope in your mailbox during the winter season.
Hope Writers
You do not have to be a professional writer to become a Hope Writer. Some writers send handwritten letters, others create postcards or cards, and some add stickers or small encouraging touches.
Write about your day, something that helped you through a difficult season, something that made you smile, or simply remind a stranger that their presence in this world matters.
​
Write encouragement. Share hope. Remind someone they matter.
FAQ
Q: Can a classroom, organization, church, or group participate? Yes. Groups interested in writing multiple Hope Letters can participate. Letters may be bundled together for delivery to AASP THEY MATTER, provided each individual letter follows program guidelines and contains no identifying recipient information. Q: Is the program U.S.-only? Yes. Winter Letters of Hope currently serves Hope Receivers with eligible U.S. mailing addresses. Q: Can I include my contact information in my letter? No. Hope Letters are anonymous. Please do not include your phone number, email address, home address, social media accounts, or other personal contact information. Q: Will I be able to thank my Hope Writer? Yes. If you would like to thank the Hope Writer who sent your letter, you may email AASP THEY MATTER with your message of thanks. We will share your message inside our private Hope Writer’s Group so the writer who sent your letter may see it while everyone’s anonymity remains protected. Q: Can I sign up as both a Hope Writer and a Hope Receiver? We do not recommend it. Because Hope Letters are distributed anonymously, it is possible that you could receive one of the letters you submitted yourself. To help keep the experience meaningful and avoid that possibility, we encourage participants to choose either the Hope Writer or Hope Receiver role for the season. Q: What does it cost? There is no program fee for Hope Receivers. Hope Writers are responsible for the cost of mailing their letters to AASP THEY MATTER unless using an approved local drop-off option.
From Us:
Sometimes hope arrives in an envelope, and sometimes the person writing the letter finds a little hope for themselves along the way. Our hope is that Winter Letters of Hope becomes meaningful for both sides of the page...that while Hope Receivers are reminded that they are seen, remembered, and valued, Hope Writers may also discover something powerful in slowing down, reflecting, and choosing words that encourage another human being. Writing about what has helped you through difficult days, what still gives you hope, or what you would want someone else to remember can sometimes bring those same truths back to you. In that way, a Hope Letter may begin as a gift for someone else, but the act of writing it can quietly remind the writer that their own story, strength, and presence matter too.