Short phrases like “You’re a rockstar” or “You are so loved” don’t take long to write, but for children going through tough times, those words can mean a lot. On some Wednesday evenings, members of Letters of Love UIUC gather to make cards for children in hospitals battling cancer and other illnesses.
After each meeting, the cards are sent to Letters of Love Global, where they are distributed to children’s hospitals worldwide.
Letters of Love is a global nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Grace Berbig. Years after her mom lost her battle with cancer, Berbig started the organization to bring emotional support to children in hospitals.
Amelia Pettitt, University alum, started the chapter in November 2023. Pettitt was in the Letters of Love chapter at her high school and wanted to bring it to the University.
Since then, the RSO has become a space where students can step away from their busy routines and put their creativity toward something meaningful.
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This creativity adds a little brightness to children’s days during their treatments and long days away from home.
Violet Filipiak, freshman in LAS, found the organization at Quad Day in August. She joined because she wanted to be a part of something “pretty feel-good” on campus.
“Everything being digital is pretty complex,” Filipiak said. “It’s really nice to have something simple (a handmade card) and not overstimulating.”
Each meeting has a different theme, giving students an easy starting point for kid-friendly, cheerful designs. On Feb. 18, members made Valentine’s Day cards covered in hearts, and on Feb. 25, they made St. Patrick’s Day cards filled with green clovers.
Students keep their messages short and sweet. Abby McDowell, member of the RSO and freshman in ACES, mentioned how messages like “You are amazing” and “You are important” are inclusive of all kids.
“It’s making sure they just feel like a kid,” McDowell said. “That’s the way we want them to feel when they open one of our cards.”
Beyond the messages themselves, the purpose of Letters of Love is to create cards that feel light, fun and comforting. They focus on bright colors, simple drawings and words that help them feel like any other child opening a card.
These cards also help take kids’ minds off the difficult circumstances they are going through. Alexa Marousek, member of the RSO and sophomore in the Division of Exploratory Studies, said the idea of getting to be creative while brightening kids’ days made her interested in joining Letters of Love.
“I like knowing that whatever I write may make them laugh or smile,” Marousek said. “It’s nice to know I’m making an impact.”
The students who write the cards may never meet the children who receive them, but members say the experience is meaningful — knowing that a small gesture, even from a stranger, can make someone feel special.
Letters of Love continues to focus on making a difference in children’s lives — one short, encouraging message at a time.
“I know cards make me happy when I receive them from my friends,” Filipiak said. “So the most rewarding part is being like, ‘Oh, this might make somebody happy.’”
