Fill a Heart 4 Kids is seeking volunteers for Project Valentine

Posted February 02, 2021 10:00 pm

Submitted by Marcy Manning

To make Valentine's Day brighter for foster children living in group homes, Fill a Heart 4 Kids in Lake Forest is seeking volunteers for Project Valentine through Feb. 12. Courtesy of Marcy Manning

Valentine's Day can be a very painful holiday for foster children living in group homes without a loving family. From now until Feb. 12, volunteers of all ages can come to the Fill A Heart 4 Kids Shop in Lake Forest, create a card and fill WeCare Packages for children to help them feel loved and remembered on Valentine's Day.

From pajamas to socks and necessities, to sweet treats and schools supplies, there is something for every child to feel special.

The Fill A Heart 4 Kids store is at 270 Market Square in Lake Forest. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays and 3-5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

For the Project Valentine Fill a Heart Wonderland, the store is filled with colorful balloon displays, candy, shelves of goodies and more.

The goal for Project Valentine is to make more than 2,000 packages to distribute to over 850 foster children living in group facilities and 1,200 homeless and at-risk children throughout Lake and Cook counties.

Fill A Heart was founded by the McAveeney family more than 14 years ago. FAH4K's mission is to provide local unaccompanied, homeless, at-risk youth and foster children with education resources, necessities and positive experiences to help them heal and restore their dignity for brighter futures.

To keep everyone safer, each workshop session will be restricted to one family of six per 30-minute time slot. Advance sign up, in store masks and temperature checks are required for all ages.

Contact Margie Alpert at margiealpert@fillaheart4kids.org to schedule groups of up to 10. Host a "Party 4 A Purpose" for birthdays or other special occasions during Project Valentine or Project Hop for Easter.

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Fill a Heart 4 Kids' Project Valentine seeks to make more than 2,000 gift packages to distribute to over 850 foster children living in group facilities and 1,200 homeless and at-risk children throughout Lake and Cook counties. Courtesy of Marcy Manning

Visible from the street, the Project Valentine Fill a Heart Wonderland fills the store with themed balloon displays, candy and more. Courtesy of Marcy Manning

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