Community writes ‘Letters of Joy’ for people in assisted living homes

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - The holidays tend to bring out the giver in all of us, and as that season approaches, a Fargo woman is spreading joy one letter at a time.

It’s a project four years in the making, and it’s grown immensely since creation.

“Each year, when we ask for help for these letters, we get more and more people that share the same mission who come togther,” said Cassie Wehseler, Founder of Letters of Joy.

The mission? Gather as many community members as she can, write and decorate hand-written notes, and send them to those living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

“It’s so great getting connected with a lot of different community members, students, teachers, and more... seeing their joy and knowing they’re just as passionate...” she added.

With these letters, passion has no age.

Kids, teenagers, adults, and elders all partake in the community note donation.

Corrine Schmidt, an upcoming graduating Senior at Horace High School said, “I typically write something like, ‘Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you’re staying healthy and spending time with loved ones’ and things like that!”

“My great-grandparents were in an assisted living home, so I think it’s really important because I would’ve wanted someone to do that for my grandma,” Veda Voegele, another Horace Senior said.

Grandmas, grandpas, or even strangers, letters can be sent to anyone. Through the years, Letters of Joy has grown so much, they needed an HQ. A local counseling center opened their doors and also many opportunities.

The owner of Bestow Counseling is providing a space for Cassie to organize, create, and oversee the whole project. It’s also become a pickup/drop-off location for letters.

Debbie Svobodny of Bestow said, “In fact, it works out because we have a few clients who have just grabbed them on their way out and brought them back at their next session.”

Last year, Cassie’s goal was to send 2,000 letters... she surpassed that number and sent 3,300.

Their goal this year is to send 4,000 letters - the highest number yet.

Brittany Peschel, Physical Therapist at Activate Physical Therapy & Wellness, who’s been donating in Letters of Joy since the start, said, “The word about this just keeps getting out more and more every year, and it’s such an easy thing to do, so I have no questions... She’s going to crush that goal.”

A goal of bringing light and warmth into the lives of others.

If you want to write a Letter of Joy, you can contact Cassie at (701) 351-8041, check our their Facebook page, or head to Bestow Counseling.

A full list of previous Letter of Joy volunteers can be found here.