A Letter Writing Community Connection

January 2026

Comms intern Jiwon shares the positive impact of a middle and high school letter writing campaign.

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 This school year KIS middle and high schools are connecting more through high school student-led clubs and outreach programs. At the end of last semester, Love For Our Elders (LFOE), a letter writing initiative, connected middle and high school students with isolated elderly residents. Club member and vice president Eddie says, “It's important to connect to our elders because it bridges the big age gap, fostering a mutual exchange of wisdom for the young and sense of purpose for the elders. Also, we can achieve our ultimate goal of spreading kindness and creating a sense of community.”

This winter, in collaboration with middle school principal Molly Burger, high school principal Christina Powers, and with support from the middle and high school offices, LFOE expanded across campus, hosting a letter drive for middle school students. Math teacher Regina Lee volunteered her room for the drive. She says, “It gave our students a chance to think beyond themselves and bring a little light to someone who might be feeling lonely during the holidays.” 

The response was surprising, with over 90 middle school students writing a letter. Eddie also says, “I think that activity was very meaningful as we organized a community-level project in our school. I really enjoy these activities, and I’m excited to make more meaningful impacts in my community.” Ms. Powers also organized a small letter booth in the library to collect high school letters. The club collected approximately 100 letters to deliver to Suji Saint Nursing Home and Sancheong Seongsimwon, a care home for disabled elderly residents and Korea’s last generation of leprosy patients. Each letter was accompanied by a pair of fuzzy socks. 

One letter, written anonymously, moved an elder at Sancheong Seongsimwon so much that she wrote a response sharing a poem and more about her own life. Reaching out to others invites connection, even between people who seem different. 

LFOE plans to host another letter-writing activity booth in April on the last day of MAP testing for middle school students. LFOE also hopes to train middle school Phoenix Ambassadors to lead the activity. These kinds of middle and high school collaborations are meant to create sustainability for student-led initiatives. 

Club member Emily says, “Sustainability is important because students have the chance to face challenges, learn from them, and grow to be leaders. For our club, Love For Our Elders, sustainability matters because you cannot build trust with seniors through one letter or one visit – trust takes time, patience, and consistent care. By staying consistent, we show the elders that they are truly cared for and that our work is about building lasting connections, not just completing tasks.”