Young Copperas Cove Card Writer Faces Meanness, Community Responds Generously

Zander Fithian, an 11 year old from Copperas Cove, has spent most of his childhood spreading holiday cheer by writing and sharing Christmas cards. Since he began at age three he has produced roughly 5,000 cards and handed them out to people he met. On December 10, 2025, after several encounters in which recipients were dismissive or hurtful, his mother publicly shared their disappointment on social media and the response was swift.

Amber Fithian described the negative interactions that had shaken her son. “We’ve had a lot of people yelling and screaming at him, taking the cards and throwing them down, we’ve had quite a few people say that if it didn’t have money in it they didn’t want it...he’s 11 years old he doesn’t have the money,” she said. Within days the family reported that Zander’s post brought a flood of mail to his post office box from people in Texas and from around the country, reversing his discouragement and restoring his enthusiasm.

Zander said the outpouring renewed his belief in small acts of kindness. “It makes me feel happy cause it’s also telling them that they care about something that other people do, so if they can do this, they can do anything,” he said. The surge of support illustrates how quickly community members can mobilize to reinforce civic norms of courtesy and generosity when prompted by a visible example.

The episode carries broader implications for local civic life. Public discourtesy toward a child engaged in volunteer oriented goodwill can chill similar acts by others, reducing informal civic engagement that strengthens neighborhoods. Conversely the rapid, tangible show of support underscores the role of social media and postal services in connecting residents and enabling restorative community responses. Local institutions including schools, faith groups, and civic organizations may view this as an opportunity to reaffirm norms of respect and to highlight ways to support youth led community initiatives.

Residents who want to send a card or support Zander may address mail to Zander Fithian, PO Box 1033, Copperas Cove, Texas. The family says he is once again writing cards and reading the messages that arrive.