Love For Our Elders
Love For Our Elders is a United States–based nonprofit organization that aims to alleviate social isolation among older adults.
History
In 2013, Jacob Cramer, a regular volunteer at a senior living community, noticed widespread loneliness among residents. To address this, he began writing and distributing handwritten, uplifting letters to senior communities. The initiative quickly gained traction as others joined in.During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization compiled inspiring stories from older adults and sent uplifting video messages to senior communities. On September 15, 2020, the organization announced its new name, Love For Our Elders. A statement from the founder said, "We’ve come to realize that our organization’s name included language that contradicted the work we pour our hearts into every day." Beginning July 2021, in response to post-pandemic needs, the organization shifted from sending generic letters to senior communities to delivering personalized letters directly to older adults experiencing isolation. The organization has sent more than 750,000 handwritten letters.
The organization created National on February 26, an annual unofficial observance promoting writing a letter to any older person. On March 19, 2024, Cramer published a picture book with the nonprofit called Grandma's Letter Exchange that invites young children to write their first letter. In 2025, Cramer appeared on the Kelly Clarkson Show for the "Rad Human" segment.