More than 15.5 million seniors in America live alone and face isolation due to declining mobility and geographic location. To help combat the negative effects of isolation, DoSomething.org, the largest organization for young people and social change, has teamed up with Meals on Wheels America, the oldest and largest national organization supporting community-based senior nutrition programs, for the fourth annual Love Letters campaign.
Alexandria seniors served by Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) are set to receive handmade Valentine’s Day cards created by youth volunteers from across the country this Valentine’s Day.
“Participating in the DoSomething.org’s Love Letters campaign is something that we participate in every year, said Mary Lee Anderson, SSA’s Executive Director. The Valentine’s Day cards bring a smile to our Meals on Wheels seniors when they are delivered with their meals.”
The popular campaign, encouraging young people to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards to lift the spirits of older adults this winter, runs through February 15, 2017 and cards will be included in meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels clients across the country.
“Love Letters is one of DoSomething.org’s most popular campaigns because young people get to use their creativity to help brighten older adults’ day during a peak time of isolation and depression,” said Michelle Fino, Chief Marketing Officer at DoSomething.org.
Since 2014, the popular campaign has generated nearly one million cards that have been distributed through Meals on Wheels America’s network of local programs, which serves 2.4 million home bound seniors each year. The support of this network provides is critical to helping them maintain enough independence to stay in their own homes.
Visit www.dosomething.org/loveletters to get involved.
About Senior Services of Alexandria
Senior Services of Alexandria is a nonprofit organization that has as its mission, “to foster independence and self-sufficiency, enabling seniors within the City of Alexandria to age with dignity.” SSA operates the Meals on Wheels delivery program and DOT transportation reservations for the City, presents educational programs through various events, a speaker series, and a monthly cable television production, Senior Living in Alexandria. SSA and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria operate the Animeals on Wheels program, providing food for pets of low-income seniors. SSA’s Friendly Visitor Program matches volunteers with seniors for weekly visits, enhancing connections to the community. SSA also operates a Groceries to Go Program for seniors who have difficulty shopping.
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, research, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
About DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is the largest tech company exclusively for young people and social change. We’re activating 5.5 million young people (and counting!) to make positive change, online and off, in every US zip code and in over 131 countries. When you join DoSomething, you join something bigger than yourself. You team up with the young people who have clothed half of America’s youth in homeless shelters. And cleaned up 3.7 million cigarette butts from the streets. And run the largest youth-led sports equipment drive in the world. And more! You’ve got the power and the passion to make an impact — we’ll help you get it done. Welcome to DoSomething. Let’s Do This.
