How to Send a Postcard to Defenders of Ukraine

Ready to write your card(s)? Here are some tips and samples.

1. Keep it simple. Like these two samples: one in English; one in Ukrainian.
2. Choose a card. Or, a couple. You can send as many as you like! What postcards can you use? Cards from your city. From a recent vacation. Cute cards with animals. Pretty cards with flowers. A card that is cheerful and colourful. A card that tells something about where you live, what you enjoy. A card that shares something about you and your life. They will all get to Ukraine. Tip: about four or five cards can fit in one envelope using one regular domestic postage stamp. Cards can be the same, or different. It’s up to you. If you don’t know where to get postcards, click Where to find postcards.
3. Address the card to “Defender of Ukraine”. Or start with “Greetings from Canada”. There are many women on the front, so your card could go to a female or a male defender. It’s best to not start with “Hey Dude”. 😉  
4. Print your message, draw on the card, decorate it … whatever you like. Colour and creativity will be appreciated. Use the WHOLE backside. Colourful and cheery is nice. And, yes! You can write in English. Keep it simple and clear and short. Remember: English is not their first language, so use simple everyday language. Print in large clear letters.
5. Your message will be one of support and encouragement. Think of yourself as a Canadian Ambassador of Kindness. Your card – that lovely little bit of paper – just might make the receiver smile. Be aware and empathetic that these are women and men facing the horrors of war every day, all day.
6. Please … no comments about Russians. Focus on your message of support for Ukraine.
7. Write from your heart. Write your thoughts and hopes for the health and safety of defenders and their families. Or share something interesting from your day; like about that rabbit that has been chewing on your tulips. Click here for a few writing ideas.
8. Ukrainians are fighting against Russian aggression so they can live freely, as they have tried since Independence in 1991. Supportive language could include, for example: “freedom”, “victory”, “be brave”, “be strong”, and “defense of culture”.
9. It will surely make a defender smile if you try at least one or a few words in Ukrainian – using the Cyrillic lettering. For instance, We support you! = Ми вас підтримуємо! Hugs = Обійми. Canada = Канада. Ukraine = Україна. Visit our translated phrases page for help getting started. Or, if you want to personalize you message, try Google Translate to help you find words or phrases in Ukrainian. And don’t worry if you don’t get it perfect. Your effort will be appreciated.
10. Don’t forget to sign the card with your first name [only] and your city/country. This will make your message feel more personal and remind them that the world hasn’t forgotten them.
11. Cards from children are especially welcome. Many defenders haven’t seen the children in their families for months. A lot of Ukrainian children are far away from home, sheltering all over the planet. Joyful pictures produced by children bring many smiles.
12. Mail your written cards to: Postcards to the Front, P. O. Box 184, Millbrook, ON L0A 1G0 * CANADA.
13. Include your email address inside your envelope so we can let you know that your cards arrived, and to thank you!
14. No need for a return address. They don’t have time to write back.
15. If you want to include a note in your envelope about your motivation for sending card(s), please do. We will send these notes to the volunteers in Ukraine who distribute the cards and care packages to the front.

All done?  Please Subscribe. We’d like to keep in touch. By subscribing, we can acknowledge receipt of your card(s) – be sure to provide us with your name and email address on the back of your envelope, clearly written. We will also send you occasional updates about this project.

Sample postcards

You can write your message in either English or Ukrainian, or a bit of both.

Use cards that you like. Your message of support can include a bit about why you chose the card. You can share something nice or funny that happened the day you write your card.

Need some ideas? Here are four sample messages

We will NEVER ask you for money or try to sell anything to you • This is a project to support Defenders of Ukraine with bits of happy mail • That’s it.