FAQ's
Getting Started
How do I join your efforts?
Fill out the form on our homepage. You will receive the link to our sign-up portal in your welcome email. Please do not register for Letters Against Isolation or the portal with a school or work email. Once you lose access to that email, we cannot port your account information over to another email address.​
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I signed up, but haven’t received my welcome email yet. Where is it?
Check your junk folders and, for Gmail users, the Promotions tab, as sometimes LAI emails end up there, especially for new volunteers whose mail system might not recognize our address.
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When should I mail my letter?
Your letter likely won't be read until a few weeks after you mail it. If you plan to send greetings for non-religious holidays, please get those in the mail 2-3 weeks ahead of time!
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Where do I mail my letters?
You can choose where to write in our web portal. When you are ready to mail your letters, review the current requests in the portal and pledge the number of letters you'll mail out within a day or two. You'll then be able to view that location's address. You will mail your letters directly to the facility.
Portal
How do I use the signup portal?
Please check out this blog post for portal FAQ's.
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Why isn’t the portal listed on the website?
We only share the portal’s link with registered volunteers to maintain both the quality of letters and protect the privacy of our community partners.
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​How do I access your web portal?
We only share the link with registered volunteers. Within about 15 minutes of registering, check your welcome email for portal access instructions. We also share a link in every Sunday newsletter. Be sure to check your junk and promotions folders for these messages.
​The portal is full. What do I do?
If the portal shows that we are fully committed for the cycle, rest assured that it will be updated soon (at the very least, a new cycle is released every other Sunday). In the meantime, feel free to continue writing letters to have them ready to go once the new cycle opens with new slots!
Letters
What do I write to a complete stranger?
We write a lot about this on our blog. Check out this blog post, this blog post & this blog post for some great ideas about how to get started.
Some top tips are:
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Start your letters with a generic greeting such as “Dear Friend” or “Hello from [your location].”
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Instead of generic well wishes or affirmations that you'd find in a greeting card, share stories, hobbies and interests, everyday experiences, or a favorite memory.
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Keep it positive!
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Remember to sign your first name or a nickname, so that your correspondence feels personal
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Is there anything I shouldn’t write about?
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Avoid discussing sensitive topics such as religion, politics & health.
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We don’t know the specific beliefs of each senior; as an inclusive organization, we’ve provided some holiday guidelines here.
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Don't give advice, and keep in mind that affirmations and encouragement can feel impersonal when overused.
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Do not share your phone number or email address.
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Can I send gifts to the seniors?
Our facilities have requested that you not send gifts.
What is the maximum number of letters I can write?
To ensure quality over quantity, we have a limit of 100 letters per volunteer every 2-week cycle.
​Should I decorate my letters?
Absolutely! Feel free to add drawings, washi tape, photographs, colorful stickers, or anything else that might spark joy!
​​Can I send my correspondence via email?
Our volunteers send actual handwritten letters to the seniors. We feel it's important for each senior to have a physical letter that they may re-read or display in their room as a reminder that someone is sending them kind thoughts.
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​I know an elderly person who'd appreciate handwritten letters. Can LAI write to them?
For privacy reasons, our organization only sends letters to seniors who are served by our community partners. Here are some amazing organizations that focus on individual seniors - 1, 2, and 3.
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I know an elderly person who'd appreciate handwritten letters. Can LAI write to them?
Our organization only sends cards and letters to seniors who reside in long-term care facilities. For reasons of privacy, we can not share individual seniors' addresses. Here are some resources to pursue ( - these look to be organizations with a focus on individual seniors and would likely be relevant for the kind of support you are seeking.
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​Will the seniors write back to me?
While you may occasionally be pleasantly surprised to receive correspondence from one of our seniors, our volunteers write with no expectation of receiving letters in return. Each letter is a one-time act of kindness!
Envelopes
Should I use a return address?
Yes, place your return address on all correspondence and write “Letters Against Isolation” across the back flap of your envelope. If you are not comfortable using your personal address, simply copy the address of the facility into the upper left corner of your envelope.
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Can I mail multiple letters together to one location?
Yes! If you are sending multiple letters to one facility, you may save on postage costs by bundling your letters together and mailing them in one large envelope. A US Forever stamp covers 1oz of postage.
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Some tips:
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Write “Letters Against Isolation” across the back flap of the outer envelope, indicate how many letters are enclosed and if you’re writing in a language other than English
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It is optional to place each letter into its own envelope, but if you do choose to do so, do not seal each envelope
What if mail is returned to me by the post office?
Please contact paula.brmn.lai@gmail.com as we have a volunteer who will research the facility in question. We understand that this is quite disappointing, and hope that you will be able to “recycle” your correspondence to seniors at a different location.
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What are your tips for best mailing practices?
Please check out this blog post written by a volunteer, Marsha, for tips for best mailing practices.
Anne Granville Stamp Fund
Do you offer financial support for volunteers?
We provide stamps to students and seniors through the Anne Granville Stamp Fund. If you fit the following criteria and would like to request stamps, please fill out this signup form.
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Eligibility Criteria for the Student Stamp Fund:
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Volunteers currently enrolled in school who can provide a photo of a valid student ID
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Based in the US
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Eligibility Criteria for the Senior Stamp Fund:
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Volunteers aged 65 and over
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Based in the US
Service Hours
How do I earn community service hours?
We do not currently offer service hours to students or those completing court mandated service.
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Do you offer service hour verification for employers?
We ask that you self-verify. We’ve found that most employers will accept the following as proof of your volunteering:
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A copy of your welcome email from LAI
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Your own log of your time spent
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Photos of your letters
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Screenshots of your pledges in the web portal
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Photos of your stamped & addressed envelopes and/or post office receipt
For Groups
How do I run a group event with LAI?
Check out the Group Events page on our website here for more detailed instructions.
Donations
I'd like to donate to LAI! How do I do that?
We gratefully accept donations, large or small, from both individuals as well as corporations. Please let us know if your employer offers grants to small non-profits or has a matching gift program for their employees! Here is the link to our donation page.
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How can I buy LAI swag?
You can order LAI swag for yourself or others here.
