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messages from disaster:
a memorial

Together, let’s remember, honor, and help bring solidarity to those who have endured natural disasters by sharing your experience or volunteering to collect letters.

introduction

Dear Stranger,

 

In the wake of natural disasters, many individuals feel isolated in their struggles. While countless disasters occur each year, many personal stories go undocumented or unnoticed. As policies change, the reality on the ground doesn’t. Your story can make a difference!

 

As an organization founded in Los Angeles, with many team members still living in the area and affected by the January, 2025 wildfires, we are committed to making sure that the stories of our community's loss in the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history are not forgotten. Letters to Strangers (L2S) invites individuals from around the world who have lived through natural disasters to contribute anonymous letters offering words of remembrance, honest reflection, support, and unity. Throughout the campaign, L2S plans to implement our randomized letter-exchange system to further encourage connection. If you would like to receive a letter in return, approved letter submissions will be matched accordingly. These letters will ultimately be memorialized for public viewing as a testament to the strength of those who have endured, a tribute to all that was lost, and a pledge to never forget the real people impacted by these tragedies. 

 

With that being said, keep on reading to learn more about how to write & submit an anonymous letter or how you can get involved!

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write & submit a letter

At L2S, we believe in the power of anonymous writing to encourage honesty and vulnerability. We understand that every experience with a natural disaster is deeply personal, and we respect the privacy of those who share their stories. That’s why we only accept anonymous submissions. Your letter can offer comfort, encouragement, and solidarity to others while ensuring your identity remains private. 

 

IMPORTANT: 

  • Before writing your letter, please review our sample letters & our letter-writing guidelines to ensure your letter meets our criteria.

  • If you have previously submitted a letter to L2S, please note that you must opt-in to participate in the letter-exchange system for this campaign, which you can do in the link below.

volunteer to collect letters

In alignment with this vision, L2S seeks dedicated volunteers to help collect letters, expand outreach, and ensure the campaign runs smoothly.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Outreach: Connect with local partners to host letter collection boxes.

  2. Distribution: Provide and restock supplies for letter writing (unless otherwise specified).

  3. Collection: Gather, scan, and upload letters.

  4. Awareness: Promote the campaign on social media

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We are happy to provide template outreach language and stipends for cost of materials as needed. Time commitment can vary based on your availability, but we recommend scheduling 30 minutes - 1 hour per week over about two months for this. 

 

If this opportunity sparks your interest, visit the link below to get involved!

love, a stranger

Thanks for supporting this campaign! Every letter carries a unique story, a connection, and a reminder that no one is alone in their experiences. Whether you’re writing, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, your support truly makes a difference! If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to sharing your stories!

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