Love makes the world go round: New club emerges at Concordia

MOORHEAD—Concordia has a new club with a mission: making an impact on children across the nation. 

The first chapter of “Letters of Love” started in 2018 at Orono High School in Orono, Minn. Since then, there are over 200 chapters across the nation. Over 250,000 cards have been provided through the organization, and Concordia College is their newest addition.  

Letters of Love (LOL), according to their website,  aims to provide emotional support due to children battling serious illness through the creation of hand-crafter letter.  

“We aim to build a community of love and kindness, empowering young people to change the world one card at a time,” their website states.  

Local Letters of Love Chapters include North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, N.D., and Minnesota State University – Moorhead (MSUM), in Moorhead, Minn. Concordia College is the last of the main “Tri-College” institutions to start a chapter.  

Letters of Love at Concordia College tabled at the Cobber Expo on Sept. 7, and were officially approved as an organization on Friday, Sept. 13.  

Malik Smith, President of Concordia’s chapter of Letters of Love, spent about five days working on the application process. 

“It was a lot,” said Smith, “We had to come up with a club constitution and all the things. It took a lot of time and thinking.”  

Smith was originally going to start LOL in the Spring of 2024, but did not know what the application process would entail. After talking to Ellie Retzer, a physical education major and recent transfer student from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., Smith felt empowered to start LOL at Concordia.  

“I really really wanted to get this started, so I emailed my advisor,” Smith said.  

Within a month, LOL was approved as a club at Concordia College.  

“I was just really excited about starting this club,” said Smith, “and now it’s here!” 

For those interested in joining Letters of Love at Concordia College, Smith invites all to join by following LOL on Instagram (@lettersofloveconco) or by emailing Smith (msmith29@cord.edu).