Mailbox Brigade

FAQs

Since 1990, the annual Mailbox Brigade has been one of Atlanta’s most beloved and successful holiday fundraising traditions! Each holiday season, Friends groups across the city recruit volunteers to join the brigade, spreading festive cheer and raising money for Children’s. Decorations of fresh holiday greenery and a festive, handmade bow are installed on mailboxes around the city by volunteers.

Additionally, for every mailbox purchased, a patient at Egleston, Hughes Spalding or Scottish Rite will receive a “Holiday Hug” sign for their hospital door.

How did Mailbox Brigade start?

The mailbox brigade was created in 1990 by Brookhaven resident, Toni Rhett, after her 9 month old daughter, Alix, had a one-week stay at Scottish Rite Hospital (now part of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta). Because the hospital made such an impact on Toni and her family, she decided to find a way to give back and created the mailbox brigade in her neighborhood.

Who will decorate my mailbox?

Mailbox Brigade is entirely volunteer driven; without the dedicated volunteers who organize teams and decorate Mailboxes, Mailbox Brigade would not be possible. Friends, the volunteer organization benefiting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta spearheads the project. While many volunteers are members of Friends, anyone who is interested in decorating mailboxes or raising money for Children’s is welcome to participate.

How do I purchase a mailbox decoration?

Please identify which neighborhood you are in by typing your address HERE. You will then be directed to your neighborhoods ordering page.

What if my address does not fall within a listed decorating area?

Because this is a completely volunteer-driven effort, we are only able to decorate mailboxes where we have enough volunteers to do so. Due to limitations on what volunteers can cover, we cannot accept orders in neighborhoods that do not participate in Mailbox Brigade. We are always looking to expand to new areas so if you are interested in learning more please contact events@choa.org.

May I sponsor a specific neighborhood’s Mailbox Brigade? And what are the benefits?

Yes; Support Children’s and have your company recognized (logo) on your neighborhood’s Mailbox Brigade webpage. Includes one Mailbox Decoration.

When can I order a mailbox decoration?

Online ordering will be available Wednesday, November 1st through Friday, November 17th.

When will my mailbox be decorated?

Volunteers will decorate mailboxes starting November 27th and should have all orders decorated by December 10th.

Why is my next door neighbor’s mailbox decorated and mine is not?

Oftentimes, multiple volunteers are assigned to orders at addresses on the same street but operate on different timelines. If you have not received your mailbox decoration by the decorating deadline, December 10th, please contact your neighborhood chair, whose contact information is included on your confirmation email.

If I make a donation to Children’s for the amount of a mailbox decoration on the general donation website, will my mailbox be decorated?

No, Children’s staff and volunteers will only know about mailbox decoration orders placed through the Mailbox Brigade ordering site, which can be found HERE.

How do I volunteer to be a mailbox decorator?

Please contact events@choa.org indicating which neighborhood you would like to volunteer with.

May I gift a mailbox decoration to someone?

Yes, however the recipient must reside within the intended neighborhood boundaries. To proceed with a gift a mailbox purchase click HERE.