How a letter from their granddaughter, with no stamp or postal code, made it from B.C. to P.E.I. - Action News
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PEI

How a letter from their granddaughter, with no stamp or postal code, made it from B.C. to P.E.I.

Joe Lawless says it was a surprise when a blue envelope arrived with the mail at his and his wife Nancy's mailbox in Summerside, P.E.I. There was no stamp or postal code. There was just the street address, province, and part of the city name. And it was written "To Nana and Papa from Octavia."

The letter made it to Joe and Nancy Lawless from their granddaughter Octavia, who lives in B.C.

'It really touched my heart,' says Joe Lawless of the letter from his granddaughter. (Jane Robertson/CBC)

Joe Lawless saysit was a surprise when a blue envelope arrivedwith the mail inhis and his wife Nancy's mailbox in Summerside, P.E.I.

There was no stamp or postal code. There was just the street address, province, andpart of the city name.And it was addressed "To Nana and Papa from Octavia."

Octavia is their nine-year-old granddaughter who lives in Maple Ridge, B.C.

"It really touched my heart," Lawless said of the unexpected letter.

Sent off without a stamp

In the letter Octavia tells her grandparents that she taught a 14-year old how to do a back flip, and that she'd like to someday travel to France. She also tells them that she really misses them.

She wrotethe letter and dropped it in the post box before her parents could add the stamps and remaining address.

In her letter, Octavia tells her grandparents she misses them. (Jane Robertson/CBC)

"Because I needed to tell them right away before it was the weekend," Octavia said.

She was told that it would probably not get to her Nana and Papa. She, her parents, andgrandparents were all surprisedand happy whena few weeks later,it did.

Thankful for extra effort

Lawless said he's not only thankful that his granddaughter thought of him and his wife, and took the time to write a letter. He's also grateful to the Canada Post workers who got the letter across the country, despite there beingno stamp, and figured out where to deliver it.

"Especially this day and age, I mean you know you need postal codes and you need a stamp, you need the right address," Lawless said.

Joe and Nancy Lawless were happy and surprised when they got a letter from their granddaughter. (Submitted by Joe Lawless)

"It says Summeron it.It could have been Summerfield, it could have been Summerville, P.E.I. And not only that, they didn't charge me for the stamp."

Response from Canada Post

In a statement Canada Post said it is not uncommon for employees to investigate to help complete an address, and the company is glad the letter made it to the Lawlesses.

"That letter would have had many stops along the way, so it was the well-wishes of many employees across the country that allowed it to work its way to P.E.I. without a stamp or a full address," reads the statement.

Canada Post did however note the importance of including a full address and postage. To encourage more letters between Octavia and her grandparents, the company says it is reaching out to the Lawlessesto offer a free pack of stamps.

Joe Lawless says it was heartwarming to receive the letter from his granddaughter. (Jane Robertson/CBC)

In her letter to her grandparents, Octavia asked them to write back to her. Lawless said they definitely will.

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With files from John Robertson