Bloomingdale Library asks vets at Hines VA Hospital, 'Will you be our valentine?'

Bloomingdale residents will show local veterans their love and support this Valentine's Day with cards delivered by the Bloomingdale Public Library.

The library is hosting its annual Valentine's for Veterans until Feb. 3 and will give those willing to participate the necessary craft items to make the cards. These include construction paper, decorations like stickers and doilies, pens and other items.

In past years, cards would be delivered to active-duty military in Afghanistan as well as to veterans statewide.

However, since Americans forces have withdrawn from Afghanistan, the library will focus solely on the Hines VA Hospital in Maywood this year.

Members of Bloomingdale VFW Post 7539 will deliver the cards to the hospital.

Normally, the cards would be made in a companionable setting inside the library, but with the rising number of omicron COVID-19 cases, the library opted to have families make the cards at home.

Katie Richert, the library's head of Youth Services, said the program has always had a high volume of participation, with as many as 500 cards delivered in some years.

"This is always a fun way to give back," Richert said. "Everyone is always eager to participate and it's a great way to honor our veterans who give so much for us."