Operation LOVE Network collecting Valentines for Vets through Feb. 6

Symonds-Madison Funeral Home in Elgin is hosting a "Valentines for Vets" drive now through Monday, Feb. 6.

Community members are invited to drop off handmade and signed store-bought valentines for local veterans.

Valentines will be delivered the second week of February to local veterans service organizations, nursing homes, hospitals, churches and senior living facilities.

"A recent study revealed more than half of older veterans suffer from loneliness," said Joy Symonds, owner and director of community engagement. "Valentines are a small way for our community to say, we remember you, and you are not alone."

"We invite friends and neighbors to drop off valentines," Symonds said. "If you aren't the artsy type, store-bought valentines with a friendly message are welcome, too. Together we can brighten a veteran's day by showing them how much we care and appreciate their sacrifices for our freedom."

Valentines can be dropped off at 305 Park St. on Monday through Saturday during business hours in the special mailbox in the lobby at Symonds-Madison Funeral Home.

Valentines delivered after hours can be placed in the mail slot. Please drop off your valentines by Monday, Feb. 6, to ensure they can be delivered on time.

A study published by the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry in 2021 identified a behavioral "epidemic of loneliness" among U.S. military veterans that existed even prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Operation Love event can be found and shared on Facebook at bit.ly/valentinevets.

If you know a veteran who would love to receive a valentine, call the funeral home at (847) 741-1128 to arrange delivery.

The Valentine drive follows Operation LOVE's third annual "Adopt-a-Veteran" gift drive in December, when volunteers delivered Christmas gifts to more than 300 local veterans.