Random acts of kindness in Dist. 87
The cafeterias of all four Glenbard High School District 87 schools will be transformed into Cupid's workshops Wednesday, when a host of volunteers will commit artistic "random acts of kindness" with scissors, glue, construction paper and glitter.
Students, school staff and parent volunteers will gather to create Heartfelt Valentines for Veterans at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, to express gratitude to some of our bravest veterans and soldiers, and to assure them they are not forgotten.
This is a unique way of giving back, according to Glenbard School Student and Community Projects Coordinator Gilda Ross. She emphasized that this endeavor has been opened to parents as well as students and school staff of Glenbard East, North, South and West to expand the impact of the project.
"The word is out that this is what you do," Ross said. "Every single school club, every single athletic team will be working on this. The opportunities to volunteer are there."
Ross is pleased that the in-school activities - sponsored by Glenbard District 87 ACTS (Advocating Character Through Service) and Glenbard Leadership Council in conjunction with the village of Glendale Heights - are replicated throughout the community by other individuals, groups and clubs.
"We really enjoy knowing that at the same time all four schools are doing this, the entire community is going to act as well," she said.
This is the third year the District 87 high schools will involved with the Heartfelt Valentines for Veterans program, initiated by the village of Glendale Heights in the mid-1990s. This year the effort will be bigger than ever, boasting participation from a variety of clubs, community organizations and numerous elementary schools. But Ross credits the success of this effort to Gina Thorson, public relations manager for the village of Glendale Heights.
"It has snowballed," agreed Thorson, who recalled reading an Ann Landers column years ago that inspired the Valentines for Veterans idea. "I came into my position in 1995. The idea was implemented in Glendale Heights in February 1996."
The idea also played on the "random acts of kindness" that came into vogue around that time as well. And February includes Nationalized Salute for Hospitalized Veterans Week.
"It was so perfect," she said.
Thorson explained that over the years the village has sent thousands and thousands of valentines to soldiers overseas and to hospitalized veterans who might otherwise not receive any mail.
Thorson works with personnel at the Veterans Affairs to obtain contacts with troops currently serving and those who are residents in facilities in Illinois.
"Sometimes these people never get a letter, never get a piece of mail," Thorson said.
Oftentimes, she said, the valentine will stay on display in the patient's room for an entire year until the next valentine is delivered.
"This is a big thing for us, when you can bring joy to someone else," Thorson said.
She explained that the village of Glendale Heights has allocated funds in its annual budget for the postage of the Valentines for Veterans project.
Thorson is pleased that the efforts at the high schools will contribute to the overall success of the program.
"Gilda (Ross) has pulled in all of the Glenbard schools and all of the feeder schools," Thorson said. "I'm grateful that she has picked up the gauntlet."
Ross believes that this project has value for everyone involved, and provides a good lesson in the worthiness of community involvement.
"This gives the students a taste of what it feels like to help other people," Ross said. "It sets them on a course for volunteering. It speaks to the fact that our young people really want to give and contribute."
For information on the Heartfelt Valentines for Veterans program at the Districts 87 high schools or the feeder elementary districts, call Ross at (630) 942-7573.
Completed valentines from any donor may be dropped off by Friday, Jan. 30, at the Glendale Heights village hall, 300 Civic Center Plaza. For details, call Gina Thorson at (630) 909-5350.
• Kathy Slovick writes about Glen Ellyn on Mondays in Neighbor.