Sophie Han ’27
Oct 17, 2025
The Letter Writing Club, led by Asami Puff ’26, works to connect
students with seniors citizens around the world through handwritten letters, creating a space where Mercersburg students can turn small acts of kindness into hundreds of messages filled with care.
Faculty adviser librarian Julie Bell said the club began when a student approached her with the idea of bringing letter writing to campus. “It’s through a program called Love for Our Elders,” Bell said. “Every month they post new elders with a short description, and we would read each elder’s story before writing.” She added, “It’s really about sharing a bit of yourself with someone who might not have many people reaching out.”
Club president Asami Puff ’26 said, “Taking over the club this year has been rewarding and eye-opening. It’s amazing to see how something as simple as a handwritten letter can make someone’s day. Seeing everyone come together with genuine care for the elderly has been incredibly fulfilling.” Puff hopes members “walk away with a deeper appreciation for human connection, especially the kind that doesn’t rely on technology.”
Beyond leading meetings, Puff strives to maintain the spirit of connection that defines the club. “When you slow down to write, you think about what you want to say and how it might make someone else feel,” Puff said. “That thoughtfulness is what makes the process meaningful. It’s not just about sending a letter but about taking time to care.”
Vice president Christine Jiang ’26 described the club as “a very nice environment that is quiet, where everyone is working toward the same goal. Sometimes there are similar interests or commonalities [between the students and their intended recipients] – maybe they lived in a country or speak a language you know – and you connect over that.”
Lily Hubbard ’26 said, “I always feel better after doing it. It’s kind of a distraction but also a good deed. You personalize it, such as if someone’s from the Pacific Northwest, where I live, then I always write to them and say, ‘I live there too.’”
Piper Matthias ’26, who joined after a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event, added, “I wanted to keep doing it because it assured me that somebody was going to be happy on the other end. The most rewarding part is knowing that somebody reading this letter will feel cared about and loved.”
Over time, the club’s letters have reached far beyond campus. “Jasmine’s grandmother received more than 500 letters after Jasmine nominated her,” Bell said. “Another elder asked his daughter to type letters to everyone who wrote to him, saying that if his wife were still alive, she would have happily handwritten them all.”
Even as it grows, the club stays rooted in the simple act of handwriting. “Your brain works differently if you only use tech,” Bell said. “There’s a different way of thinking when you physically write.” Each meeting includes cards, stamps, stickers, and desserts—a reminder that connection can still exist off-screen.
Looking ahead, Puff expressed her excitement for the future: “We hope to participate in MLK Service Day to honor Dr. King’s message of love and community. On that day, we plan to organize a larger letter-writing event.”
“Anyone can join,” she said. “You don’t need experience or fancy writ-
ing, but just sincerity.” Bell agreed, “We’d love for more people to see what this club is about. When you take the time to write to someone, you realize how powerful a small act can be.”