Grassroots movement spreads Christmas love to the lonely
Last Christmas more than 32,000 messages of love made it into rest homes around the country. This year the Sending Love ambition is even greater.
There is no reason for anybody in New Zealand to feel forgotten this Christmas thanks to an initiative aiming to touch 100,000 people between now and December 25th.
Sending Love was launched 12 months ago by Hannah Rodgers and her son Jayden. The scheme collects Christmas cards written by everyday kiwis and distributes them to those who might be feeling lonely at the festive time of year.
“Last year, we were hoping to get a few cards from the local community to spread a bit more love,” says Hannah Rodgers. “But, we were overwhelmed by how many people got involved with making and writing cards for someone who might need it. In five weeks we were able to give a card to as many people we could find in rest homes and hospitals across New Zealand,” she says.
This year, the ambition is to get a card into the hands of the roughly 100,000 kiwis who could be feeling a bit lonely, via Meals on Wheels, homeless shelters, Women’s Refuge, RSA’s, hospitals as well as rest homes and other organisations.
“We live in a country full of people who have love to share and there’s no reason for anyone to go without a bit of it this Christmas,” says Hannah. “Last year we had families having card making and writing nights, along with community centres, classrooms and entire schools getting involved,” she says.
Hannah says the idea came about when she asked her son Jayden ‘what will you do to be kind today?’ and his response was he didn’t have any money to be kind.
“I said ‘right, we are doing 100 days of kindness’,” says Hannah. “On day 65, Jayden suggested we write a card for someone who might feel lonely at Christmas.”
“That started everything, the rest is history,” she says.
It’s very simple for people to participate in Sending Love. They write their message in a card – making sure it’s full of love – and drop it into one of the many drop off points around the country, or send it to PO Box 90-701, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142.
Sending Love also needs volunteers and local organisations to set-up drop boxes.
To find out the drop off locations and more information you can visit www.sendinglove.co.nz.
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