The C’YA ‘Military Mailbox’ receives handwritten cards, letters and drawings as the only collection site for New Mexico registered with ‘A Million Thanks.org’. Courtesy/C’YA

C’YA News:

Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) celebrated its 9th birthday Friday, June 9 with a new goal for 2023. The goal is two-fold and doesn’t directly assist C’YA, but rather local military personnel serving across the nation and the world.

C’YA is seeking a temporary home program for its “Military Mailbox”. The small wooden box would travel throughout the County to local businesses or organizations willing to host it for a week or a month.

The goal is that new customers might visit a location to drop off mail, letters or drawings that will be sent to service men and women with a connection to Los Alamos.

Local families with members serving in the military can contact C’YA to get recipients for mail added to the mail call list for care packages. Local non-profit C’YA is in White Rock and known for its Community Asset Awards, Science Education in the schools with the Sci Guy and working with A Million Thanks to collect hand written notes and drawing from all ages to support troop morale.

“We took a hard hit for collecting mail during COVID,” CYA Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen said. “We were incredibly helped by the Youth Activity Centers and several elementary schools. The well runs pretty dry in the summer with the 4th of July and other holidays ahead so we’re trying something new. 

To be listed on A Million Thanks.org national website, the 501(c)(3) must host the collection box in a business accessible to the public. They will be forced to use just their PO Box for now, but would prefer to make pick ups and deliveries to local businesses and non-profits to save everyone some postage.

The hope is the locations will encourage their employees, families and customers to stop by and drop off handmade or store bought notes of encouragement. It costs nothing to participate, but some time and a place for the small wooden box, originally made by middle school students. The box has been in the community for seven years. 

Email the program at cya.org@att.net, visit its website, call or text 505.695.9139. The C’YA Board consists of teachers, mental health staff and a few retired volunteers.

The lovely artwork on this C’YA ‘Military Mailbox’ that receives handwritten cards, letters and drawings, lifts the spirits of local military members. Courtesy/C’YA

Courtesy/C’YA