Death, disease, unemployment, poverty—in a world oppressed by hardship and uncertainty, optimism is at an all-time low, and a few words of kindness can make all the difference. Enter Letters of Sunshine (LOS), a group of students passionate about uplifting those in need. This inspiring club at Wakefield is dedicated to spreading hope and compassion through handwritten notes, their words providing comfort and encouragement to individuals experiencing hardship.
The club was founded by former Wakefield student, Emily Pearl, who drew inspiration from her own childhood experiences following her mother’s cancer diagnosis. During treatment, Pearl’s mother lost the ability to speak, so the two found another way to communicate with each other: through letters. Pearl recalls how this was inspiring to her during such a difficult time.
“My mom passed away from cancer two years ago; she was sick for 12 years,” Pearl said. “Growing up with a sick parent meant I went to a lot of hospitals and witnessed depressed patients. From that, I realized that I needed to help.”
It was through this trial that Pearl discovered an outlet for spreading hope and compassion: Letters of Sunshine. Pearl’s journey has filled her with incredible empathy, and now she’s eager to reinforce this cycle of generosity and warmth within her community.
“Creating a safe space for students of all backgrounds to come together and do good for the world was extremely rewarding,” Pearl said. “We found that LOS was a fun way to help our community, and that our students loved to be involved in cultivating a big impact.”
Last year, the Letters of Sunshine club cultivated joy by sending hundreds of heartfelt messages to individuals and families. Their initiatives raised awareness about the importance of kindness, inspiring others to join their cause. This year, they hope to accomplish the same, and more. Sophomore and communications officer of the club, Maggie Robb, elaborates on the additional steps Letters of Sunshine will be taking in the upcoming months.
“We’re trying to come up with ideas to incorporate [Letters of Sunshine] into Key Club and Beta Club,” Robb said. “We also want to give donations and connect with the organizations we’re collaborating with.”
Whereas the mission behind Letters of Sunshine remains constant, their meetings vary greatly according to the circumstances at hand. Their focus may shift to a specific person who is going through a challenging situation, or an organization that is working to solve national crises. Co-President and senior Salem Luckett, explains how this approach for writing the letters makes a meaningful impact in the lives of the recipients.
“We’re not just focused on mailing out letters,” Luckett said. “We base it off of what’s needed at the time. You never know, something could happen and a person may need encouragement.”
Being sensitive to the needs of others has proven to be influential, especially regarding involvement in Letters of Sunshine’s efforts. Social studies teacher and advisor for LOS, Joseph Williams, has witnessed this club’s expanding influence firsthand.
“Our first year, we were in my room doing it, and my room only has so many desks,” Williams said. “But now we have to book the media center because [membership] has exploded from year one to year two.”
Likewise, this rise in participation has extended beyond the Raleigh-Wake Forest area. After Emily Pearl graduated from Wakefield, she brought a chapter of Letters of Love with her to Appalachian State.Just like Letters of Sunshine, Letters of Love promotes kindness and empathy by creating handwritten cards, which has contributed even more to their cause.
“Letters of Sunshine started in school and now it’s something bigger,” Luckett said. “I think Letters of Love at App State is so popular because people are just coming together to simply be kind and serve their community.”
Through clubs and organizations like Letters of Sunshine, it becomes evident that small acts of kindness can still have a substantial effect on young people. Students are not only given the chance to uplift others, but to simultaneously experience the joy and fulfillment that comes with making a positive impact.
“Even something as basic as writing a letter, handwritten, is really heartwarming,” Williams said. “If you want to feel good, do good to others. It really is that simple.”
