Yellow Mailbox Collects Messages Of Hope In Cleveland Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Cleveland Heights residents may have noticed the big yellow mailbox now residing outside the Coventry library. The installation isn't run by the U.S. Postal Service, but by Never, Ever Give Up and is there to spark joy and hope during the new coronavirus crisis.

Never, Ever Give Up is a community-based project. The group started by collecting one-page stories from people around Northeast Ohio, all answering the same prompt: What is the hardest thing you ever had to do?

The stories are submitted anonymously and are then shared in various ways. The group has also begun collecting responses called "Letters of Hope." The letters include words of encouragement, support or solidarity.

The box outside the Coventry library will be used to collect these messages of hope, which will be shared throughout the region. No prompt necessary, just share a little joy.

"We are so thrilled they reached out. It's a much-needed breath of hope for the community!" said Sheryl Banks, a Heights Libraries spokesperson.

Allison Meyer, one of the Never, Ever Give Up leaders, told Patch her organization was inspired by the new coronavirus pandemic to again collect Letters of Hope. Anyone can drop a letter into the mailbox and those messages will be shared throughout the community and region.

"We are planning on rotating the mailbox throughout the greater Cleveland area as the pandemic continues," Meyer told Patch.

The first Never, Ever Give Up mailbox was installed during the summer of 2019 at Hart Crane Park in the Flats.