By Alesha Capone
Hoppers Crossing café Jock + Mack is running a Letter of Hope campaign during lockdown.
The café’s team leader Stella Lillywhite first organised the letters initiative during lockdown last year.
Customers can write a letter, a cheerful message or do a drawing to put into the Letter of Hope box inside the café.
The letters will be distributed to residents of local aged care homes.
People who contribute a letter or drawing can remain anonymous or use their first name.
Ms Lillywhite said the idea for the campaign came about after she caught up with an 80-year-old friend last year, who was feeling sad and isolated because she had not seen her children and grandchildren.
“It got me thinking about the aged community,” Ms Lillywhite said.
“I’m suffering from a bit of anxiety.
“I know in a situation where I can help others, it helps me.”
Ms Lillywhite said she thought the letters campaign “could being a little way of sunshine for someone’s day”.
“It’s a way to inspire and re-light people’s connections, remind people they are not alone and that people are thinking of them,” she said.
Ms Lillywhite, who also manages Jock + Mack’s social media, has been sharing the colourful artwork children have submitted to the campaign online.
“I’m hoping it will create a groundswell of support and create a wave of hope,” she said.
Anyone living outside of a five-kilometre radius of the café who wants to contribute a letter to the campaign can post it to Jock + Mack, 31 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing, 3029.
