Letters In Motion is an organization dedicated to writing letters to orphanages across the world, and its beginning at Union University began with alumna Emily Goette.
The Union alumna heard about the organization through John Sellers, the founder of Letters In Motion, and fell in love with the idea of helping children across the world, and with the help of Brooke Pinkley and Rachel Stokes, two Union alums, Goette formed an initiative in Jackson, Tenn.
After many letter writing events where students on campus were encouraged to pitch in and write letters to the orphans, Goette visited Nepal to hand deliver many of the letters herself to the children. For Goette, the trip was life changing and had given her a sense of urgency regarding our call to take care of the orphans. She was determined to make a difference.
Goette’s tenacious drive was inspiring, and her heart for the children has created a lasting impact. Even though Goette graduated with the class of 2018, Letters In Motion has continued to thrive through the hard work of the many students who have since taken her place in leading the organization.
Union’s chapter is now led by Jennifer Hansard, a senior psychology major, and, for her, writing letters is a joy.
“Letters In Motion is a passion project,” Hansard said. “The act of encouraging somebody just lifts my day.”
As a Christian non-profit organization, Letters In Motion is dedicated to raising awareness about literacy and providing educational opportunities for students worldwide.
While surveying the many opportunities to become involved on campus during the freshman student life fair, Callie Teague recounted that the colorful and beautifully handwritten letters that lay on the Letters In Motion table called to her.
“What drew me in the most was the opportunity to encourage orphans who live across the world, to let them know that someone loves them and prays for them,” Teague said, smiling. “It means a lot that I can be personal with someone across the world who may not have someone. I can share Scripture with them.”
Unlike the involvement in many organizations, the work involved with Letters In Motion is simple.
“It only takes a minute to write down a letter,” Hansard said.
Letters In Motion meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the PAC, in room D-53. Throughout the year, the organization throws letter-writing events, and their two main events are “A Night in Nepal” and “Grill and Chill.”
“You’re never going to regret time you spent to encourage an orphan,” Teague said.
Teague believes their passion project is an investment, and it all begins one simple letter at a time.
“Choosing things that are worth the extra time commitment is hard,” Teague said. “But you’re never going to walk away saying, ‘Dang, I wish I hadn’t taken time to write letters to orphans.’ It’s always worth it knowing there is going to be a child receiving your letter of encouragement.”