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December 1, 2025

Celebrate National Write a Friend Month

Happy December! This month marks a time filled with cold weather, warm fires and of course, gifts galore. As some might say, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” complete with family and friends coming together and celebrating the holiday season. 

Not only is December a cold season with warm greetings, but it’s also known as National Write a Friend Month. National Write a Friend Month is an entire month specifically designated for us to take time to write a note to a friend. In a month filled with gifts for others, this is a great time to actually share your words with loved ones—tell them what they mean to you and why. If you want to join in and celebrate National Write a Friend Month during this wonderful winter season, here are a couple writing ideas to get you started.

 

Buy new stationery.

First and foremost, prepare to celebrate National Write a Friend Month by buying new stationery. Stock up on your favorite cards, envelopes and pens to send creative notes and letters to your loved ones. If you really feel imaginative, you can even choose stickers, or include a personalized return address label for the envelopes. Sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most satisfying, and buying new stationery is one of them.

 

Send a holiday card.

Once you have your new stationery ready to go, use this season as an opportunity to send a holiday card. Make your list of close friends and family to send the cards to and brighten the cold winter month. Include a picture of you or your loved ones, a little life update and a return address for them to send their own holiday cards. If you can, make things even more personal with a handwritten note for recipients to feel extra special.

 

Write to a loved one.

This Write a Friend Month, make the holidays even more remarkable for your loved ones by sitting down to write a handwritten letter to them. With technology nowadays, handwritten letters sent via snail mail are few and far between, but they have incredible power to brighten someone’s day. Everyone appreciates a personalized note that surprises them in the mail. Send a little extra holiday cheer this season by writing to a loved one.

 

Share with a stranger.

After writing to your loved ones, consider sharing with a stranger this holiday season. During the cold months, many people in need can feel lonely and left out of the winter cheer. Give them encouragement during a challenging time by writing a letter or note to a stranger. For instance, write a letter to a military member and thank them for their service through programs like Operation Gratitude. Not only can you get involved, but you can also send the gift of joy.

 

Find a pen pal.

Finally, consider finding a program for pen pals to join in. Whether for children or adults, pen pal programs are a great way for complete strangers to get to know each other and build a friendship across boundaries. Check for available pen pal programs in your community, or search online for national and international options. Not only can you have a cheerful holiday season writing, but you can continue the friendship for months to come.

The month of December is known for many things, including National Write a Friend Month. This season, celebrate the holidays with a day in the snow, sit by a fire and drink hot chocolate. And of course, don’t forget to take the time to write to friends, family and complete strangers. Spread the gift of cheer through writing as we finish out the year with the season of joy.

The Fremont Area Community Foundation funds grants for civic improvement, health and recreation, social services, arts and culture, and educational purposes in Fremont, Nebraska, and surrounding communities. Grants are made from the earnings from the Foundation's Fremont Forever Fund, from the Lester A. Walker Fund, and from funds advised by particular donors. Grantees must be qualified charitable organizations and no grants are made to individuals except in the form of scholarships.

To apply for a grant, organizations must submit an application form with supporting documentation (different procedures are used for donor-advised funds.) The form provides complete instructions for submitting a grant application. The Grants Committee meets four times per year to review grant requests and make recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Directors for final approval.

The map shows the area where the Fremont Area Community Foundation generally provides grant funding which covers almost 3,000 square miles and includes the following zip codes:

Dodge County: 68025, 68026, 68664, 68063, 68072, 68044, 68031, 68649, 68057, 68621, 68633

Washington County: 68002, 68034, 68029, 68008, 68009, 68023, 68068

Burt County: 68038, 68020, 68045, 68061, 68019

Cuming County: 68788, 68791, 68716, 68004

Colfax County: 68629, 68641, 68643, 68601, 68659, 68661

Butler County: 68036

Douglas County: 68064, 68069

Saunders County: 68050, 68041, 68040, 68018, 68015, 68064, 68073, 68066, 68070, 68648

Grant requests that would benefit communities outside this area are considered on an individual basis.

December 1, 2025

Celebrate National Write a Friend Month

Happy December! This month marks a time filled with cold weather, warm fires and of course, gifts galore. As some might say, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” complete with family and friends coming together and celebrating the holiday season. 

Not only is December a cold season with warm greetings, but it’s also known as National Write a Friend Month. National Write a Friend Month is an entire month specifically designated for us to take time to write a note to a friend. In a month filled with gifts for others, this is a great time to actually share your words with loved ones—tell them what they mean to you and why. If you want to join in and celebrate National Write a Friend Month during this wonderful winter season, here are a couple writing ideas to get you started.

 

Buy new stationery.

First and foremost, prepare to celebrate National Write a Friend Month by buying new stationery. Stock up on your favorite cards, envelopes and pens to send creative notes and letters to your loved ones. If you really feel imaginative, you can even choose stickers, or include a personalized return address label for the envelopes. Sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most satisfying, and buying new stationery is one of them.

 

Send a holiday card.

Once you have your new stationery ready to go, use this season as an opportunity to send a holiday card. Make your list of close friends and family to send the cards to and brighten the cold winter month. Include a picture of you or your loved ones, a little life update and a return address for them to send their own holiday cards. If you can, make things even more personal with a handwritten note for recipients to feel extra special.

 

Write to a loved one.

This Write a Friend Month, make the holidays even more remarkable for your loved ones by sitting down to write a handwritten letter to them. With technology nowadays, handwritten letters sent via snail mail are few and far between, but they have incredible power to brighten someone’s day. Everyone appreciates a personalized note that surprises them in the mail. Send a little extra holiday cheer this season by writing to a loved one.

 

Share with a stranger.

After writing to your loved ones, consider sharing with a stranger this holiday season. During the cold months, many people in need can feel lonely and left out of the winter cheer. Give them encouragement during a challenging time by writing a letter or note to a stranger. For instance, write a letter to a military member and thank them for their service through programs like Operation Gratitude. Not only can you get involved, but you can also send the gift of joy.

 

Find a pen pal.

Finally, consider finding a program for pen pals to join in. Whether for children or adults, pen pal programs are a great way for complete strangers to get to know each other and build a friendship across boundaries. Check for available pen pal programs in your community, or search online for national and international options. Not only can you have a cheerful holiday season writing, but you can continue the friendship for months to come.

The month of December is known for many things, including National Write a Friend Month. This season, celebrate the holidays with a day in the snow, sit by a fire and drink hot chocolate. And of course, don’t forget to take the time to write to friends, family and complete strangers. Spread the gift of cheer through writing as we finish out the year with the season of joy.