In an increasingly digital world, there are groups of people who appreciate the classic written form of communication that relies on the U.S. Mail.
These letter writing groups can be found around the world and extend a more-the-merrier invitation to join.
One example: the Letter Writers Society, a Pinole, CA-based organization that pairs members with pen pals.
The group hosts both in-person and virtual monthly meetings, as well as events such as postal-related scavenger hunts and workshops on calligraphy and cursive handwriting.
“Handwritten letters slow us down and promote a peaceful mind. It’s definitely analog, but writing letters is therapeutic for me personally and it can help relieve anxiety,” said Sonnia Jean Kemmer, who started the group last year.
Likewise, The Letter Project, another group, seeks to encourage and empower girls and women around the world through handwritten letters.
The group sponsors 20-50 events a month and has 13,000 letter writing volunteers around the world.
Letter writers are paired with women and girls who are experiencing a challenge or a negative experience to provide encouragement through the mail. Each letter requester can expect to receive 15-25 letters.
“It provides a reciprocal benefit to write as someone who has been through the other side. It’s very therapeutic to share your experiences and helps the letter requester feel a lot more connected and the world smaller than it is,” said Holly Enowski, the group’s executive director.
There are enough groups like Kemmer’s and Enowski’s to warrant the Directory of Letter Writing Societies, an online resource that lists organizations around the globe that promote pen pal relationships or other letter writing exchanges.
Megan Donovan, a Cleveland-based graphic designer and greeting card illustrator, started the directory based on her experience as a member of the New York City Letter Writing Society and after starting her own club, the Colorado Correspondence Coalition.
“I was often asked by folks out of state how they could join, so I started the online directory of groups they could find closer to where they live,” Donovan said.
She also offers advice for those looking to start a group of their own:
• Pick a name. Be original or research social media for ideas and inspiration.
• Find a place to meet. Ideas include coffee shops, bookstores, museums, local libraries or community centers.
• Set a date. Decide how often your group will meet.
• Advertise. Post flyers in local businesses around the community and on social media sites.
“If you build it, they will come. It’s an opportunity for all ages and it’s fun,” Donovan said.