Insights

EDH NCL Writes 600 Sunshine Letters!

National Charity League Thank You

Melissa Utermoehlen

9/16/2020

Giving back to the community is the mission of the National Charity League. The mother and daughter philanthropy league are dedicated Snowline Community Volunteers. Their passion to support Snowline's Mission extends to serving weekly at our thrift stores, volunteering at numerous special events, and writing for our Sunshine Letter Program.
The mothers and daughters of the EL Dorado Hills Chapter of the National Charity League wrote 600 Sunshine Letters for patients and families of Snowline. Julia Carle, Chapter Liaison, delivered the large boxes of colorful letters to our Diamond Springs office where they were processed by a group of administrative volunteers. Putting pen to paper for the letter-writing endeavor lead some of the league members to share their personal stories of grief, resilience, and service.
"For our family it was a bit about giving back and a bit about healing. Last Christmas my Father-in-law was diagnosed with Stage IV inoperable Brain Cancer. We went from a normal Thanksgiving to Hospice care just after Christmas. He was gone by February 6th. I know how hard this time was on our family and in a way, we were lucky his illness was so fast. Some deal with this for much longer. We just wanted to do something that gave back. Even though Snowline was not our hospice provider, it was a way to say Thank You and help out those who are dealing with this." - Samantha
"This past weekend we set out to make some cards for people in hospice care and our goal was to deliver some colors and joy to them. It’s often said that when life seems overwhelming, look at someone who drew an even shorter stick to bring some perspective and gratitude into your life. In this process of playing with colors, making mess and finding messages of hope, faith and peace, I’m no longer sure who was helping whom, who brought joy to whom... think it was these resilient souls who are still burning bright with their quiet strength who are the beacon of hope for the rest of us... the journey, as they say, is still unfolding." - Shalini
"We were honored to be part of something so special and hope that we might brighten someone’s day. Making these cards was extra special for my family since my mom (and girls grandmother) was on hospice a few years ago and received the most wonderful care from Snowline." - Wynter
" I think it's important to write these letters with our daughters to help us build a sense of awareness, perspective, and empathy. It opened up conversations between us that we had never had before." - Jolene

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