N.Y. man mails love letters for free

NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A New York man who advertised a service on his blog for free love letters to treat the holiday blues says he received 1,000 requests by mid-December.

Jake Bronstein, 30, a marketing consultant, said about 10 percent of the requests stemming from his advertisement on zoomdoggle.com came from overseas, including Russia, New Zealand and Finland, the New York Post reported Monday.

Bronstein said he came up with the idea of distributing free love letters in November and moved the enterprise to the Internet after handing them out in person failed.

"People get very depressed this time of year, and it's nice for them to get a little shot of love from a stranger," he said.

Bronstein said he was shocked to receive 1,000 requests for the short love letters, which he sends via U.S. mail.

"I only budgeted $400 for stamps -- I didn't think I'd send letters to Finland," he said.

However, he said he is determined to ensure all of the requests are filled, even if it means he and his friends have to pull long hours of amorous writing.

"If you do something nice, everyone ends up feeling good -- and what better gift is there than love?" Bronstein said.