Christine Whelan FEO, December 21, 2023, VOL. 5 ISSUE 8
It’s that time again.
Smiles have begun to spread across the land in recent days as, one by one, envelopes are opened revealing Christmas cards from Justin Preston, reminding them this world needs them, and that they are worthy.
On Friday, December 8, Justin told me, “People are just starting to receive them.” Adding, “I’m still writing them as we’re speaking.”
More people are finding out about his cards so more requests are coming in.
Preston’s been dedicated since October, two weeks before Halloween, to writing these cards. He watches and waits for them to arrive on the shelves at Dollarama and Walmart. “As soon as the cards began to fill the shelves, I began to clear them,” he said with a laugh.
Justin has spent about $100 out of his pocket on the cards and two rolls of Canadian stamps at $97 per roll.
“I’ve been very thankful. The community has been sending boxes and unused cards to my address. And I’ve used every card I’ve been given. I might be writing inside the cards and making them personal but I couldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for the support of the community donating unused cards and postage.”
Years ago, when he started mailing Christmas cards, it was all out of my pocket. “And that’s when I realized, I’ve been telling people to ask for help when they need help, so I need to feel comfortable to ask for help,” knowing that he needs to be able to practice what he preaches, so to speak.
Justin shared that this year got a little overwhelming. “I did my Google spreadsheet form and put it online. On the first day, I received 100 requests.” Quickly adding, “The beautiful thing with this year is, I added a comment section so people can write their feelings or include a note about who their card is going to.
“I think I’ve spent more time reading what people were saying to me than writing in the card because there have been paragraphs and paragraphs of beautiful things.”
Preston says that, in these days of financial stressors and holiday expenses, he loves being able to send somebody something in the mail that’s not a utility bill or credit card payment.
The first year, he sent 70 cards, the next year he sent 120, then 300, and it keeps growing.
Justin does this all himself. “I can’t say I’ve had no help. Last year, I was thankful for the help of my two daughters.” This year, the girls are busy with school and sports. There has only been enough free time for minimal help.
At the time of this interview, “I’ve written over 580 cards. They’re all mailed out,” almost catching up to the total requests so far of around 660.
Justin says he’s trying to go above and beyond to lift people’s spirits this year. People look forward to his cards every year now.
He shared how much he appreciates and enjoys the aftermath — people expressing their joyous reactions to the cards, posting online, parents messaging him about their kid’s reactions to the cards, and how the cards and his words have impacted them.
What has motivated and initiated this campaign of Justin’s is his own experience of receiving cards from his grandparents. “I miss receiving Christmas cards from my grandparents. The only cards I used to get were from my family.” Justin remembers the effect these annual cards had on him and he is trying to recreate the same type of magical feeling for others.
Preston is looking to continue sending cards in the new year, just to give little positive messages to others who might need them, uplifting and reminding them that this world needs them and that they are worthy.
“All I’m trying to do is be the person to others that I needed when I was younger.”
Photos provided by Justin Preston
