Glenbard students make Valentines for veterans

Hundreds of high schoolers recently packed the cafeterias of all four Glenbard schools to make Valentine's Day a little bit sweeter for veterans.

Glenbard High School District 87 participated in the Heartfelt Valentines for Veterans program on Wednesday, working with the village of Glendale Heights to create thousands of cards and banners for those in hospitals and overseas.

Gina Thorson, public relations manager for Glendale Heights, started the project in 1996 after reading about it in an Ann Landers column. The program has expanded to Brownie troops, preschools and the YMCA.

"The village has been doing it for many, many years. The whole village really embraces it," said Gilda Ross, student and community projects coordinator at the school district.

The high schools took on the idea a couple years ago through the Glenbard Leadership Council and ACTS, or Advocating Character Through Success, committee. The purpose of the group is to help students develop an understanding about the importance of community service.

"I could just see the depth of emotion (making the Valentines) stirred in our students," Ross said. "They took it so seriously."

Ross said she's tried to appeal to the various clubs at the high schools, including the athletic teams.

"We hope that when they come and make a Valentine, they enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of giving," she said. "We hope it sparks something that they will continue."

At Glenbard West alone, Ross said, 350 students filled the cafeteria on Wednesday afternoon.

"We made easily over 1,000 cards," she said. "Our students, they really want to make a difference. They're genuine in wanting to help others."

Ross said the turnout put a smile on her face because the students were having fun with each other, but they were also going to brighten someone's day with their cards.

"You know that when that card reaches that soldier, it's going to put a smile on their face, too," she said.