More Love Letters has a Christmas Campaign every year during Christmas called the 12 Days Of Love Letter Writing. I try to participate every year and today is Day 1. Today I'm sending out five Christmas cards that are headed to Vanya from Australia, Trinity from Hawaii, Cindy from Switzerland, and Jacqueline from North Carolina for the More Love Letters Christmas Campaign and to Maddox from Pennsylvania who is terminally ill and seeking Christmas Cards.

To Vanya in Australia:

 Vanya's story:

Vanya’s sister, Allie, shared his life story. She wrote: “Vanya was born in Moscow, Russia with a very rare genetic disorder called Goldenhar syndrome–a congenital defect characterized by incomplete development of the ear, nose, soft palate, and lip. Essentially, Vanya was born with one eye, one ear, and a cleft palate. His parents left him on the doorstep of an orphanage in Russia, but at the age of seven, Vanya came to stay with my family. At this point he had already lived with two other foster families in California and had had twenty-seven surgeries to construct the left side of his face–ranging from creating an ear using parts of his rib and an eyelid using a skingraft from his leg. One thing I have always admired about Vanya is his positive spirit and amazingly contagious energy. He never complained about his situation or whined about the cards that he was dealt in life. Sadly, today Vanya is struggling a bit with his confidence and motivation. He is now in his early 20s and has reached an age where many of his friends have gone off to college and started pursuing a career path as well as romantic relationships–two things that he is unsure will be in his future. From a young age Vanya has wanted to become a fireman, but recently he stopped pursuing that dream and has picked up a bad habit of drinking when he feels sad and alone. He wants nothing more than to love and be loved, but the current social media driven world is very image-focused. While his confidence was through the roof during his younger years, recently it has dipped as he has tried to explore the dating world. What Vanya needs right now is love and support, as well as a reminder that he can do anything that he puts his mind to. He can be a fireman if he wants and he will find someone that loves him, but these things are not going to happen without a little effort on his part. He needs to get out there and pursue them!” Please join us in encouraging Vanya during this holiday season.Vanya’s sister, Allie, shared with us his life story. She wrote: “Vanya was born in Moscow, Russia with a very rare genetic disorder called Goldenhar syndrome–a congenital defect characterized by incomplete development of the ear, nose, soft palate, and lip. Essentially, Vanya was born with one eye, one ear, and a cleft palate. His parents left him on the doorstep of an orphanage in Russia, but at the age of seven, Vanya came to stay with my family. At this point he had already lived with two other foster families in California and had had twenty-seven surgeries to construct the left side of his face–ranging from creating an ear using parts of his rib and an eyelid using a skingraft from his leg. One thing I have always admired about Vanya is his positive spirit and amazingly contagious energy. He never complained about his situation or whined about the cards that he was dealt in life. Sadly, today Vanya is struggling a bit with his confidence and motivation. He is now in his early 20s and has reached an age where many of his friends have gone off to college and started pursuing a career path as well as romantic relationships–two things that he is unsure will be in his future. From a young age Vanya has wanted to become a fireman, but recently he stopped pursuing that dream and has picked up a bad habit of drinking when he feels sad and alone. He wants nothing more than to love and be loved, but the current social media driven world is very image-focused. While his confidence was through the roof during his younger years, recently it has dipped as he has tried to explore the dating world. What Vanya needs right now is love and support, as well as a reminder that he can do anything that he puts his mind to. He can be a fireman if he wants and he will find someone that loves him, but these things are not going to happen without a little effort on his part. He needs to get out there and pursue them!”

If you would like to share some words of encouragement with Vanya, please do so at:

Vanya’s bundle

℅ Allie B.

109 Regent Street

Chippendale, NSW 2008

Australia

Your letter to Vanya must be postmarked by December 20, 2018.

To Trinity in Hawaii:

Envelope

Christmas Card

Trinity's story:
Her mother wrote: “Trinity is the very definition of the middle child. She just turned eleven, and has stepped into her first year of middle school, and at a new school, in a new town, with no one that she really knows. I rely heavily on her to help with her two year old brother and she is getting lost in the shuffle of life. She may be one of five kids, but she has been ripped from this blended family or that blended family. Through all my failed relationships, Trinity seems to get the short end of the stick. She is constantly worried about starting new with me, going to a new school, and fitting in with her peers. I was hoping as Trinity steps into her tween and teenage years that you could help me remind her how much of a gift she is. Help me show her that love is still the most powerful force on earth. She is so bright and has so much to reach for. Trinity is at the cusp of something amazing in life and I beg you to help me encourage her to conquer the world.”

If you would like to write to Trinity, please do so at:
⠀
Trinity’s bundle⠀
℅ Anela M. ⠀
1104 Poha Lane Apt B⠀
Honolulu, HI 96826⠀
USA⠀

Your letter to Trinity must be postmarked by December 20, 2018.

To Cindy in Switzerland:

Envelope

Christmas Card

Cindy's story:
A friend of Cindy, named Monika, wrote: “Cindy is twenty-six years old and was recently diagnosed with Elhers-Danlos syndrome, a rare genetic illness that affects her everyday life. The syndrome is mainly a tissue disorder characterized by joint hypermobility, unstable joints which are prone to frequent dislocation, weak bones, and in Cindy’s case, extremely painful migraines. I met Cindy when we were seventeen years old and at college. She had to stop everything after her first year because of her health issues. At that time, her doctors didn't know exactly what she was suffering from, and so she was highly medicated for each different symptom she experienced. Due to these medications, Cindy couldn't concentrate enough to continue in classes. Although it was hard for her, she never gave up. She started writing and discovered a passion for words. She is now a talented author who used to write almost eight hours a day. Cindy is such a generous soul, always smiling and listening to others, giving advice, and making sure her friends have all the support they need. She helped me when I lost my father a year ago, often writing to me or walking with me–even if she had awful physical pains. She never complains, but I know that Cindy is losing hope. She told me that she can't write as fast as before. She is sometimes too tired to even finish a sentence, and it makes her profoundly sad. Cindy deserves to know that she is loved and that there is always hope.”
** Letters are welcome in English and French**

If you would like to write to Cindy, please do so at:

Cindy’s bundle⠀
℅ Monika Trajkovska⠀
Rue du Torrent 6⠀
1800 Vevey⠀
Switzerland⠀

Your letter to Cindy must be postmarked by December 20, 2018.

To Jacqueline in North Carolina:

Envelope

Christmas Card

Jacqueline's story:
A friend of Jacqueline shared Jacqueline’s story: “My friend Jacqueline is a 3rd grade teacher in a school system that struggles with low performing schools in low income areas. The kids in her class tend to be the type of kids that need so much more than just regular instruction from their teacher. They need love, understanding, discipline, and much more. Sadly, the focus in education is to teach the kids to pass standardized tests and does not allow time for those things. After teaching for seven years, Jacqueline has begun doubting her abilities, doubting her career choice, and doubting herself. She has found herself having panic attacks because her class needs so much more than teaching to pass a test. Jacqueline brings such a unique teaching style to children. She celebrates being unique by having different color hair (normally pink, blue, and purple) and tattoos of her favorite snails. It takes a special person to be a teacher, and the world needs more Jacquelines. Please help me show her how special she is. If you had a favorite teacher or a teacher that made a difference in your life, please share your story. If you are a teacher and have similar struggles, please share your story. And even if you don't have a teacher story to share, please share a story or something that helped you through a difficult time. Jacqueline feels like a failure and I think a love letter bundle would help her see how much of a difference teachers can make in a child's life and even in an adult's life.”
⠀
If you would like to uplift Jacqueline, please write to:

Jacqueline’s bundle⠀
℅ Artina B.⠀
324 Railroad Street⠀
Wake Forest, NC 27587⠀
USA⠀

Your letter to Jacqueline must be postmarked by December 20, 2018.

To Maddox in Pennsylvania:

Maddox's story:

"Maddox Hyde, 14, is an 8th grade student at DuBois Area Middle School. He has been receiving treatment for neuroblastoma at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. He’s been battling it for eight years. Sadly, he’s been told he only has a few weeks to live. Now, he’s simply asking to receive Christmas cards from around the world."

If you would like to send a Christmas Card to Maddox, please send it to:

 Maddox Hyde

333 Ohio Street

Reynoldsville, PA 15851

USA

Remember if you would like to receive a Christmas card from me, check out the Christmas Card Project Page for more information.