Letters for Life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody R. Miller
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Encouragement can take many different forms: a kind gesture, a reassuring smile, or a thoughtfully written letter. That encouragement may make a world of difference in someone’s life.

An Airman at Tyndall has chosen to dedicate herself to encouraging others and helping them through difficult times in their lives.

Airman 1st Class Alise Williams, 325th Logistic Readiness Squadron fleet management and analysis specialist, is giving back through a website she created called Letters for Life. The site provides an encouraging handwritten letter to anyone who requests one. Letters for Life has been online for six months and with it Williams offers those that need some positive words in their life a source of inspiration and confidence.

“I created Letters for Life as a foundation to get help to anyone that needs to find encouragement,” said Williams. “Anyone can send in their name and address and I’ll send them a letter. They can go into detail if they want and I can give them encouragement in whatever area of their life they need. I’ve gotten extreme cases in the past of some people saying they’re struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or illness and then I’ve gotten letters as simple as ‘my cat is missing.’ I respond to all of them and let them know they can get through their obstacle or problem.”

Williams said her resolve to create this foundation comes from her strong sense of faith.

“Honestly I can attribute everything I do to God,” Williams said. “I’ve always felt like it was my purpose and role to help others. I used to just write fun and positive letters to my friends and loved ones, I figured starting this foundation would allow me to help more people. If you see anyone suffering, I think it’s our duty as wingmen to help them out.”

Williams has received requests from people of every background, including many military veterans and active duty service members. Williams’s leadership at the 325th LRS has supported her in her endeavor to offer encouragement to her fellow man.

Though the foundation has only been in operation for about six months, Williams has responded to over 40 individuals with hand written letters to offer those words of encouragement. She said that as long as she is able to keep writing she’ll keep Letters for Life going.

“We need more people like Airman Williams in the world today,” said Chief Master Sgt. Anitra Nesbitt, 325th LRS superintendent. “She is not just a good Airman, but a good person, who does what she can to shed some light in the life of those whose life may have been darkened by unfortunate circumstances. She is always there with a kind heart, word or gesture. It is just who she is.”

The Letters for Life is a non-profit foundation, however those interested can donate funds on its website. The funds are used to buy letters, paper and stamps since all the letters are handwritten.

You can visit Letters for Life at www.lettersforlife.net.