A kind word can change somebody’s day and possibly their life. With Love From Powtown is a project that provides the opportunity to be on the giving and receiving end of such kindness in the form of written postcards.
“You can literally be anywhere in the world and if you need encouragement then you just put in your request,” said organizer Cory Ashworth.
A website helps people make their request and submit it online. An event at Powell River Public Library on Saturday, February 16, is open to anyone who wishes to answer these requests. “On the 16th we’ll have [the requests] all there so people can pick who they want to write to out of all the topics.”
Postcards, designed by local artist Meghan Hildebrand, writing implements and postage is all free to participants, provided by Ashworth’s charity Ayam Civic Society. New to town, Ashworth, a radio and television broadcaster, was inspired by his friend artist Jeff Hamada’s Love From Hawaii project and wanted to bring the idea to his new community.
“I love [writing and receiving] letters and encouragement. You just never know how something so small can have a huge impact on someone,” he added.
Ashworth said he admired Hildebrand’s work and asked her to be involved.
“He saw my window display at the studio and liked my printing and envisioned it on his postcard project,” said Hildebrand. “After looking at his organization, it was a no-brainer to get on board,” she added. “I’ll definitely be at the event to send out encouraging messages.”
So far, requests have been pouring in from all over the place. Their honesty has been encouraging itself, Ashworth said.
“I'm almost shocked at how real they are. The response is encouraging to me that we’ve touched on something,” he added. “My personal take is everyone could use encouragement. It doesn’t matter if it’s something that seems dumb, or so huge or you don’t want to bother people. I feel like sometimes we hold what we’re afraid of or overwhelmed by and just letting it go can be such a release.”
Online requests for encouragement can be sent to withlovefrompowtown.com, and on Saturday, February 16, between 1 and 4 pm, everyone is invited to Powell River Public Library to answer these requests in writing.
