Alex Sheen started "Because I Said I Would" in 2012, the day after losing his father to cancer. The idea was simple: give people the ability to keep their promises. In a time when broken promises are the norm, choosing to stick with something to its completion can be the single most important thing we do. Turns out, Alex was right. Fulfilling promises—just like how his father always did—was exactly what people needed.
Postcards from the edge
Technology has made correspondence by mail nearly obsolete, but there is still something profound in receiving meaningful mail. And for over 15.2 million people around the world, a letter from Alex Sheen has proven to be a life-changing event. The craziest part is all the letters say the same thing.
When Alex’s family asked him to give the eulogy at his father’s funeral, the then 27-year-old had an epiphany. He kept being reminded of how his father was a man of his word, when it clicked: if more people would keep their word, the world would be a better place. He made a few cards to hand out at the funeral.
Alex then began mailing 10 postcards to anyone who asked for them—anywhere in the world, at no cost. They’re small, white cards with the words “because I said I would” at the bottom. You fill out what you plan to do and give it to the person it’s for. “When you complete the promise,” Alex says in one of his many TED Talks, “you get the card back and can keep it with yourself as a reminder that you are a person of your word.”
Tapping the power of intention
Turns out, writing down promises is a huge “hack” for keeping them. In fact, the promises Alex has seen fulfilled have ranged from a 4-year-old afraid of the dark promising to sleep in her own bed to a 22-year-old who promised to take responsibility for a car accident while driving intoxicated.
Despite his lawyers urging him to lie for a lighter sentence, the young man chose to use one of Alex’s cards as a better path. After serving his sentence in full, he joined Alex’s team and now helps other people work through their promises. All because he wrote it down.
Promises like these moved Alex to start a charity. He saw a snapshot of humanity through the response—it was clear there was a deeper need. Alex had been learning about healthy mental health habits and resiliency skills for dealing with stress, grief and depression. By teaching others these skills, Alex figured people could keep promises better.
Setting up camp
Alex quickly realized that “if this was going to be a charity, it has to be more than just a piece of paper.” In researching options, he got his answer. “A lot of the camps in Ohio have been around for over 100 years,” Alex said. “It’s tough for a charity to last that long.”
Alex wanted a movement that would last. Mental health best practices and grief counseling will always be needed. He figured the camp model would be ideal. Plus, Alex points out that a camp makes it “easier for people to see the value of their giving,” adding the impact of programs offered and thinking that could last 100 years—keeps him going.
Camp can be incredibly relaxing. It’s withdrawn from daily life and all its stressors. A camp also affords the time needed for healing. Many of "Because I Said I Would" campers are dealing with intense grief, deep tragedies, abuse—things that a 45-minute session just can't cover.
Along with archery, horseback riding, escape rooms and hot tubs, the camp also offers a range of self-control, goal-setting and stress management programs for caregivers, nonprofit employees, grieving families or anyone struggling with self-control or dealing with bereavement. This year, programs for youth facing mental health adversities will be added.
Now, 13 years later, Alex still mails cards but has added mental health resiliency programs, life skills, dozens of volunteer groups and 92 acres of land to fulfill the vision he had while celebrating the life of his father—a man who kept his word.
To help Alex and his team, you can donate through the website: camp.becauseisaidiwould.org or get your company involved in a volunteer day.
"A camp makes it easier for people to see the value of their giving."