Dear Neighbor Project
A homegrown nonprofit with a legacy of caring
Our Mission
The Dear Neighbor Project connects the people of Pullman with our older neighbors through handwritten letters, phone calls, and visits, to alleviate senior loneliness. Loneliness and isolation are common among older adults, and even brief, friendly connections can make a meaningful difference. Small, genuine acts of kindness reliably brighten a senior’s day and help our older neighbors feel remembered. Dear Neighbor gives Pullman residents an easy, structured way to reach out, whether that’s ten minutes writing a cheerful letter, a regular phone call, or a scheduled visit.
Ways to get involved
Dear Neighbor
Write a letter. Join or host a letter-writing drive.
A letter drive is an opportunity for people to write short, warm letters to local seniors. Participants write by hand, you review and bundle the letters, and you hand-deliver them to a partnered senior site, where staff pass them out.
Letters go to anonymous local seniors, no names or addresses are exchanged and are offered as a one-time act of kindness, with no reply expected.
Two ways to host
Choose whichever fits your group. Either way, your drive has a clear start and end date, so there’s no ongoing commitment.
- One-day drive: Set up a letter-writing table at a class, club meeting, church activity, workplace, or community event. People write a letter on the spot — great for groups that meet together.
- Time-limited drive (e.g., 1 month): Put out a collection box and a sign-up for up to a month, then close the drive and deliver the letters. Great for offices, congregations, dorms, and businesses with steady foot traffic.
What’s expected of you
You own the drive from start to finish, and everything you need is in the sponsor kit (see sponsor kit). As a sponsor, you will:
- Pick your dates and drive type, and confirm your assigned delivery site with the coordinator
- Promote the drive to your group (sample wording provided)
- Supply paper and pens, and share the Letter-Writing Guide with participants
- Collect letters unsealed so they can be reviewed
- Review each letter using the quick screening checklist, then bundle them
- Hand-deliver the bundle to your assigned senior site
- Report your letter count using a short online form
Because everything is hand-delivered locally, there’s no postage or mailing involved.
Senior Connection
Make a phone call or visit a senior.
Volunteers are matched with a senior in Pullman. You’ll commit to a regular check-in via phone calls or in-person visits. Matches are coordinated through the project coordinator so no personal contact information is exchanged.
Two ways to connect
- Phone calls: A short, friendly call on a regular schedule (e.g., weekly or biweekly). Great for volunteers who want to connect from home or have limited availability for in-person time.
- In-person visits: A scheduled visit at the partnered senior site — chatting, playing cards, doing a puzzle, or just keeping company. Great for volunteers who enjoy face-to-face connection.
What’s expected of you
- Complete our registration form and background check. (See registration forms)
- Commit to your agreed schedule and give notice if you need to reschedule
- Keep conversations warm, positive, and appropriate (see guidelines)
- Follow site rules during visits
- Report your call/visit hours to coordinator
Resources
Ready to connect with a neighbor?
Thank you for helping our older neighbors feel remembered!