These amazing initiatives started for members in the communities to connect with one another, bringing a bit of brightness to any day, all through the art of physical mail.
Pay It Forward
Take a moment and think of someone you can write a letter or send a note to, whether it be a close friend, loved one, family member, or even the local healthcare or senior living center. Writing the message will have you feeling happy and connected to the recipient, and the recipient will surely be excited to receive the message. Small gestures, such as a letter or note, even small package, can make the world of difference.
Festive postbox features special message from Father Christmas Wrexham town centre
Wrexham town centre has been chosen as one of four locations across the UK to have a special postbox in the run-up to Christmas. Located on Lord Street, outside Natwest bank, the postbox contains a QR code linking to a special festive message from Father Christmas.
The postboxes, which are also in Brighton, Bangor (NI) and Aberdeen, have been decorated as wrapped Christmas presents. Along with spreading festive cheer, the postboxes remind people to send their letters, cards and parcels early.
The Royal Mail say that the boxes will be ‘digitally activated’ – meaning that customers using them can scan a QR code contained within the design of the boxes on their mobile phones, and watch a short festive message from Father Christmas.
Mark Street, head of campaigns at Royal Mail said: “This year more than ever, it is important to let loved ones know that they are in your thoughts. “As always, delivering Christmas is our absolute priority at Royal Mail – particularly at the end of what has been a challenging year for many of us. In the process, we are thrilled to bring some of our special Christmas postboxes to more cities around the UK to help spread a little bit of festive cheer.”
As always, Royal Mail recommends that people post their cards and parcels early. Last UK posting dates for 2nd Class mail is Friday 18th December, and Monday 21st December for 1st Class mail. For Special Delivery, it is Wednesday 23rd December.
Operation Dear Veteran / Fresno, California
Fresno Pacific University staffers want to give a little Christmas cheer to military veterans who might be spending the holidays alone in the Veterans Administration Medical Center or at the Fresno Veterans Home.
In normal years, veterans could depend on volunteers to make in-person visits, but this year — thanks to the pandemic — has been anything but normal.
“Operation Dear Veteran…” is the brainchild of Denise Baronian, the university’s executive director of regional enrollment, and the goal is to provide at least 500 Christmas cards, one for every bed at the Fresno VA Medical Center and the Veterans Home of California-Fresno.
“I thought this project would serve a population of our community that is often forgotten. It was a way to serve others as well as giving our regional team an opportunity to include their families by making and writing cards,” Baronian said. The first two cards were made by her 2- and 4-year-old grandkids — volunteers have been asked to involve their families and neighbors in the card campaign.
Cards, including notes and letters of encouragement, will be collected through Dec. 20 and delivered the next day on veterans’ food trays.
If you would like to send cards to Valley Veterans, you can do so by mailing them to:
Denise Baronian
c/o Fresno Pacific University
5 River Park Place West #303
Fresno, CA 93720
Operation Santa / USPS®
On the morning of Dec. 4, hundreds of letters to Santa were posted on the USPS Operation Santa website from every state in the country. By that same afternoon there were two left.
They had all been "adopted" by good Samaritans who would buy the gifts on the lists for the postal service to deliver.
This was the day "Dear Santa,"a documentary going behind the scenes of Operation Santa premiered. And while the USPS can't say for sure if the film had anything to do with the massive turnout in "adoptions," so far 15,285 letters have been adopted since the kickoff on Dec. 4.
That's more than the total packages delivered last year, which was about 11,000, according to Operation Santa public relations representative, Kim Frum.
As of the morning of Dec. 9, there were two letters from Connecticut children. Those interested in buying the gifts should check the site early each day as letters get claimed quickly.
The documentary from IFC, which shows how this project has evolved in its 107 years of existence (2020 is year 108), is the brainchild of Dana Nachman. According to Associated Press, filming took place last year and focused on “'special requests,' which could be anything from heat to a medical procedure."
“I wasn’t so much interested in the kids asking for toys and iPhones and, believe me, there are a lot,” Nachman told the AP. “We could have done an entire film on people who just wanted food or mattresses.”
New York, Texas and California had the most adopted letters as of Dec. 9 with a total of 4,178 letters claimed in those three states.
"It really is amazing. The generosity is truly heartwarming," said Frum.
Learn more about the benefits of physical mail:
- White Paper: The Future of Physical Mail - Opportunities and Impacts During Covid-19
- Ebook: Hybrid Communication Benefits (and Challenges)
- Ebook: The Future of Mail: Top 5 Predictions from Industry Experts
- Webinar: The Importance of Print in the Hybrid Communications Mix
Find out more on how Quadient Mail Related Solutions can benefit you, contact Quadient today.
