Homebound seniors to receive valentines from kids

The Salvation Army Golden Diners homebound seniors are set to receive handmade Valentine's Day cards created by youth volunteers from across the country.

DoSomething.org, the largest organization for young people and social change, has once again teamed up with AARP Foundation's Mentor Up and the Meals On Wheels Association of America for the second annual Love Letters campaign.

Kenneth Madden, Golden Diners program director, said "Our homebound seniors have enjoyed receiving the loving cards from students across the country. This simple act will bring a smile to their faces because they know someone cares. Our volunteers will personally deliver each valentine card along with their meal."

The popular campaign, encouraging young people to create handmade Valentine's Day cards to lift the spirits of older adults this holiday season, runs through Feb. 15, and cards will be included in meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels clients across the country. Young people who sign up at DoSomething.org/love letters and report back with a photo will be eligible to win a $10,000 scholarship.

"Last year, DoSomething.org members made over a quarter of a million Valentine's Day cards for homebound seniors," said Naomi Hirabayashi, chief marketing officer at DoSomething.org. "By combining social change with things that young people love like Valentine's Day and crafts, young people are able to make a huge impact and use their skills."

The cards made as a part of the campaign will be distributed through Meals On Wheels Association of America's network, which serves 2.5 million seniors who are homebound due to limited mobility. The support of the volunteers and meals they provide is critical to helping them maintain enough independence to stay in their own homes.

Actress and singer China Anne McClain, best known for her roles in Disney Channel's A.N.T. Farm and the Disney Channel original movie "How to Build a Better Boy," is teaming up to support the campaign through a public service announcement.