Albertus Magnus Students Send “Letters With Love”

This time last year, Albertus Magnus senior JohnCarlo Mandara was searching for a way to spread compassion during what can be an isolating season for many. As Valentine’s Day approached, Mandara turned his attention to senior citizens, specifically those in elderly care facilities who may not receive frequent visitors. What began as a small card-making effort among friends has since grown into the certified nonprofit organization Letters with Love, an organization with more than 100 participants and over 1,500 handwritten cards delivered to those who deserve a little extra love.

Mandara has completed eight missions aligning with the calendar year, each month for a different cause. In January, the organization’s mission, titled “New Beginnings,” focused on individuals struggling with addiction. Other missions have honored nurses, farmers, hospitalized children, and teachers. Each card is handmade by the Letters With Love team and personally delivered.

Senior Antonella Caraballo Pelaez joined the initiative later, but quickly became one of its most dedicated leaders. After noticing how her friend JohnCarlo was overwhelmed with the organizational aspects of his mission, she jumped in to help out and has since become Mandara’s second-in-command, helping to manage the workload and logistics of their non-profit.

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As she became more involved, Caraballo Pelaez began to see the effect their cards were having on community members.   

“We gave cards to bus drivers, and they were so happy,” she said. “They were smiling and even gathered together for a group photo.” At Good Sam Hospital, Caraballo Pelaez recalled meeting a nurse who shared that in over eight years of service she had never received a card. “Seeing that impact made me want to help even more,” shared Caraballo Pelaez .

For Mandara, the Magnus motto of lead, serve and inspire formed the foundation of to build the non-profit project but emphasized that “You don’t need to be Catholic to spread kindness. We don’t highlight religion; we highlight kindness.”

Letters With Love has already expanded beyond Rockland County, with cards arriving from supporters as far as California. Looking ahead, Mandara hopes to bring the initiative to his future college campus and eventually establish chapters nationwide.

“I don’t just want to be successful, I want to be significant,” he said. “I want to see what kind of impact I can have on the world around me.”

Those interested in supporting Letters with Love can visit letterswithlove25.org or reach out via email at letterswithlove25@gmail.com

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