In a world of text messages and emojis, it may seem hard to believe that people still put pen to paper, write letters, address envelopes, and lick stamps the “old fashioned way.” Here at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, mail still pours in from all across the country. Many of the letters for First Lady Michelle Obama talk about the Let’s Move! initiative and how Americans of all ages have been inspired or impacted by this work.

When letters arrive at the White House they are sorted by a team of volunteers. Some who have served in their role for more than 25 years!

As we near the end of the administration, we wanted to take a moment and reflect on some of notes we received throughout the years. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write (or tweet or comment or snap) and share your thoughts and your story with the White House.

Here are excerpts from some of the stories we’ve heard about the impact of Let’s Move! for individuals, families, schools, and communities.

• A mother of 2 boys from New Jersey told the First Lady how she took inspiration from Let’s Move!, joined a gym, started running, and completed multiple 5K races with her husband and sons. The biggest accomplishment for her was seeing how proud her family was of her “lifestyle change journey.” 
• A student from California wrote a letter to Mrs. Obama letting her know that Let’s Move! inspired her whole family to “eat better and exercise more regularly.” She was especially appreciative of the impact it had on her cousin with special needs. Read her full letter below.

A young person in California wrote to the First Lady to share the impact Let’s Move! had on her family.

• A proud father wanted to let the First Lady know that his daughter, an elementary school teacher in North Carolina, had started a greenhouse for her students and was providing an opportunity for them “to grow their own food, allowing them to taste and be a part of the process.”  He noted that, “Your leadership as First Lady has brought this idea to the public. (My daughter) took your idea and ran with it.”
• A Colorado teenager sent a letter to Mrs. Obama sharing that she had started a yoga club at her high school providing students a fun way to be active. She said, “The Let’s Move! campaign has been a great inspiration for us, and all of our members now understand the importance of daily physical activity.”
• A high school teacher in Texas commented that she has seen “firsthand how this campaign helps our future generations, keeps kids healthy, benefits families, and has a positive effect on the entire community.”

In this digital era, the tactile evidence of thoughts, appreciation, and impact from around the country breathe life into the work we do here at the White House. It is all of you that keep the First Lady and the entire Let’s Move! team inspired to continue working on these efforts long into the future.