Operation Mail Call:
Ray’s 100th Birthday
Ray Bukauskas, a World War II veteran in Pittsburgh, PA, is turning 100 on April 12th.
He lives alone now. His wife passed away a few years ago, and he’s become quite frail—he can’t leave the house anymore. I used to live across from him, and whenever I pass through Pittsburgh, I make it a point to stop by and visit for a couple of hours. It always seems to lift his spirits.
Before I left to found this nonprofit and began traveling through the Global South, Ray showed up at my door with a small handmade note. On it was his address and phone number. He said to stay in touch, so I did. Since then, I’ve sent him postcards from India, across Africa, and along Route 66. He kept all of them.
He was one of the very first people to donate to this nonprofit—which meant more than I can say.
On my most recent visit, he told me he feels lonely. He called his house “a cave.” I noticed a few birthday cards sitting on his desk, and I thought I’d like to do something special for him. That’s where you come in.
Want to help?
It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just a hello, a thank-you for his service, a birthday wish. Something to let him know he’s remembered, that people care. You can even leave your phone number if you’re up for a call.
Just fill out the short form below. When you hit submit, Ray’s mailing address will appear to protect his privacy from bots.
Let’s fill Ray’s spirit and bring some joy. One card at a time.
Below are some photos from a scrapbook of his. One of his plane, T-49, and some others from the Pacific.
Why This Is On Our Site
The Chamber of Us is a nonprofit dedicated to building a more compassionate, connected world. We align our work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including mental well-being and dignity for all.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Loneliness is a real health issue, especially among older populations. Ray’s story reminds us that mental well-being is just as important as physical health—and that connection is medicine.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Big transformations don’t always start with big budgets. They start with people. This is a community-powered micro-act of compassion. A birthday card becomes a form of partnership—a reminder that someone still matters.