How you can send a vet a valentine

Getting a handmade valentine card from a child can perk up anyone's day, but for veterans and soldiers, such remembrances are especially poignant.

Veterans being cared for in Illinois veterans hospitals and homes, as well as soldiers currently deployed on military missions, will be on the receiving end of these tokens of love and appreciation this Valentine's Day, courtesy of several local programs.

Since mid-December, the Bloomingdale Public Library's Youth Services Department has been opening its doors and providing art supplies to school groups and individuals interested in crafting cards.

"The program is open to any child that can manipulate scissors, paper and glue," said Kandy Jones, the library's school liaison. "Typically, moms will sit down with their kids and create a card with their little ones."

Jones said the program, in its third year, works well for students in tandem with the Character Counts program used in many schools to encourage ethical behavior.

Last year, she said, more than 200 cards were made through the Valentines for Veterans program at Bloomingdale Public Library.

The cards are not addressed to individuals but to veterans and soldiers in general, Jones said, and are fashioned from construction paper, stickers, doilies and ribbons.

Jones said she delivers the cards on Feb. 1 to Bill Wolff, veterans affairs officer at the Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539, for distribution.

Wolff said his VFW post has been forwarding cards from the library and from other, similar programs for years.

"We've been shipping the cards in packages since 2003, ever since the war in Iraq started," said Wolff. "They appreciate anything from home, any kind of acknowledgment from home."

He said cards also go to the Hines VA Hospital and to some soldiers stationed stateside.

The village of Glendale Heights is partnering with several area organizations to conduct a valentines for veterans collection in celebration of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Month, said David Genty, the village's public affairs coordinator. Genty said the cards are delivered to Illinois veterans' homes and hospitals.

"This started more than 20 years ago," said Nicole Lewis, assistant to the village administrator. Lewis oversees the program for the village. "We get thousands and thousands of cards. We're able to fill up about 20 large UPS boxes."w

Lewis said card-makers are asked not to use glitter or other materials that can easily fall off cards and to forgo envelopes.

Cards may be dropped off at the village hall through Feb. 1, Lewis said.

Lewis said Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops participate, along with St. Matthew Parish School and students in several public school districts, including Glenbard High School District 87.

She said the effort does not go unnoticed.

"We actually receive thank you cards from the facilities themselves," she said.

Gilda Ross, District 87's student and community projects coordinator, said the district got involved years ago at the invitation of the late Gina Thorson, the village's public relations manager.

"We've known forever the importance of gratitude and taking the time to care for others," Ross said.

It began with a club at Glenbard West High School, then became a schoolwide activity before it was adopted as an annual event at all four of the district's high schools, Ross said.

"The high schools do it all on the same day at the same time," she said.

This year, students will gather after school on Feb. 1.

"We'll have every supply imaginable - stamps, glue sticks. It's all there for you, along with pizza," she said.

Turnout is typically strong, she said.

"For some of the high schools, you can't get a seat in the cafeteria," she said.

Ross said military veterans visit the schools while students work on their art projects.

"The vets tell the kids, 'You have no idea what it is to be remembered when you're so far from home,'" she said.

Students learn the value of volunteering their time and effort to help others, Ross said.

"They have an innate willingness to make a difference in the world," she said. "It's really a taste of what it feels like to help as a volunteer."