Operation LOVE hosts Valentines for Vets drive through Feb. 10
Symonds-Madison Funeral Home's Operation LOVE Network is hosting a "Valentines for Vets" drive now through Thursday, Feb. 10, at 305 Park St., Elgin. Community members are invited to drop off handmade and premade valentines for local veterans.
Valentines will be delivered the weekend of Feb. 13-14 to local veterans service organizations, nursing homes, hospitals and senior living facilities.
"The Elgin community cares so much about our veterans, and Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to show that love," said Joy Symonds, owner and director of community engagement. "We invite friends and neighbors to drop off valentines. 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 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 Thursday, Feb. 10, to ensure they can be delivered on time.
The Operation Love event can be found and shared on Facebook at bit.ly/valentinesforvetselgin.
If you know a veteran who would love to receive a valentine, please contact Joy Symonds at joy@symondsmadison.com or (847) 741-1128 to arrange delivery.
The Valentine drive follows Operation LOVE's first "Adopt-a-Veteran" gift drive in December, when volunteers delivered Christmas gifts to more than 50 local veterans.
The "LOVE" in Operation LOVE stands for "Love Our Veterans Elgin." Its mission is to honor "unclaimed" veterans at their funerals, connect volunteers with Elgin area veterans in need, and strengthen existing Elgin area veterans' service organizations by promoting their events, volunteer opportunities and fundraisers.
Volunteers interested in serving local veterans by joining Operation LOVE can complete a volunteer registration form at bit.ly/OperationLOVE.
Volunteers are encouraged to also join the project's Facebook group, which can be found at the funeral home's business page, www.facebook.com/symondsmadison. Volunteer opportunities, fundraisers and local events hosted by veteran-focused nonprofits are shared in the group.
Local veterans organizations or businesses that serve Elgin-area veterans and have a need for volunteer support can contact Joy Symonds to get involved, (847) 741-1128.
As an Army Reservist-Owned Business, Symonds-Madison Funeral Home is a member of the national organization, VeteranOwnedBusiness.com, and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce.
At Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, they believe every funeral should be as special as the person it honors. It is a veteran and family-owned funeral home that thrives on helping you create a final, heartfelt experience that exceeds your expectations. Visit www.symondsmadison.com.