For New Yorkers eager to spill their affection for the city in the most classic of ways, a network of red mailboxes is now at your service. Running through Sunday, the campaign is the brainchild of Kelsie Hayes and her Popupflorist shop. People can write letters expressing their love for anything or anyone in the city—these messages will be anonymous—and drop them in any of the installed boxes scattered throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. The campaign, as reported by ABC7NY, is a gesture meant to spread love in both directions, from and to the participants.
A participant captured by Eyewitness News, Reagan McWhinney, while deeply investing her thoughts into her letter, shared, "I have so much gratitude for where I am in life right now, I need to put some love out in the universe," as mentioned on ABC7NY. It's an engaging initiative for those who admire the emotional significance of handwritten testimonies. Last year, over 1,000 letters were collected, with sentiments ranging from brief adorations to in-depth confessions.
According to Time Out New York, after the collection period, 30 standout letters will be chosen, and Hayes will pair each with a matching floral arrangement to reflect the mood of the message. These pairings will be showcased on Feb. 7 at a gallery event, and the location, HOST on Howard, will turn into a sanctuary of anonymous declarations and floral beauty, open to the public with free registration.
The red mailboxes have been placed in prominent local businesses such as Caffe Parradiso, The Elk Nolita, and Tarin Thomas, providing a convenient drop-off point for those passing by. This project reminds us that amidst the city's fast pace and digital noise, taking a moment to pen down heartfelt words still holds a cherished place. Kelsie Hayes told ABC7NY, "It can be to New York, to a mom, future daughter, to their partner, someone they've loved, someone they'd lost."
