Avinash Thakur (16 | West Grove, Pennsylvania) has always loved the connection that comes from writing letters to family members, especially his grandfather. When his grandfather, who lives by himself, became ill and had to receive dialysis, these letters became even more important as they were a way for Avinash to brighten his grandfather's day. In the United States, over 8 million adults ages 50 and older are affected by isolation, and according to the National Institute on Aging, the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Between the impact of isolation on physical and mental health, and his enjoyment writing letters, Avinash began volunteering with Love For Our Elders in November 2022 and created a chapter at his high school shortly after.

Love For Our Elders is a youth-founded nonprofit organization that strives to combat elder isolation through monthly letter requests. At his school, Avinash's primary goal was to connect and engage with the elderly population. By activating his peers as letter writers, he has been able to raise awareness of the impact of isolation and give other young people the opportunity to earn service hours in a meaningful way. So far, Avinash has grown his chapter to 67 members and he has personally written over 60 letters that have been sent to 20 states and three countries. In his county, Avinash learned that 21% of the adults are seniors, so his next step is to reach out to local senior care communities and establish an intergenerational letter writing program. Through handwritten letters, Avinash hopes to bring a smile to as many faces as he can.