With Valentine’s Day approaching, it provides a special opportunity to spread love all around, especially to those who need to feel it most. According to Fox News, there are numerous organizations that offer an opportunity to send Valentine’s Day greetings and gifts to pediatric hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters among other places where a little message full of joy can go a long way. For those struggling with a challenge, letting them know that they are thought of is sure to brighten their day and lift their spirits.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has a unique service where virtual Valentine’s Day cards can be sent to patients. The virtual cards are extra special because they feature beautiful artwork that was created by St. Jude’s patients. Senders can make their selection from the featured cards and include an encouraging note to be shared with each recipient. St. Jude’s welcomes encouraging cards all year round so that patients are always receiving inspiring messages of hope from people who care. St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital is a leader in advancing research for treatment and defeating childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. According to St. Jude’s, they have increased the “overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since it opened more than 50 years ago.” Sending Valentine’s Day greetings to St. Jude’s patients is a heartwarming way to connect with the children and help them build their strength through the love that is shared with them.
Cupid Crew is sending Valentine’s Day wishes to seniors through a combined effort of Wish of a Lifetime from AARP and the Girl Scouts of the USA along with schools and others across the country. Their mission is to make a difference in the lives of isolated seniors for whom it would bring much happiness to know they are thought of by others. Sharing a message on the holiday of love is sure to make them feel part of a larger community and are not alone. Through their campaign, Wish of a Lifetime has set a goal to send about a quarter of a million cards to seniors. Pre-made Valentine’s Day cards may be downloaded from their website to print and personalize.
Other efforts include but are not limited to The Love in Action Project based in North Carolina that is helping to deliver Valentine’s Day greetings to nursing home residents; a North Carolina local radio station, WLFJ-FM (HIS Radio) that is collecting handmade cards to be sent to children’s hospitals; and the Open Doors Mission, a shelter offering assistance to the homeless and people in need in Nebraska, is collecting handmade Valentine’s Day cards and decorations that will spread joy to residents.
Valentine’s Day is a day meant to bring smiles to people’s faces and warm their hearts with the love that is shared with them. For many who face challenges in their daily lives, receiving a message that they are thought of can do wonders in making their perspectives more positive and optimistic. It only takes a moment to send a message of kindness, but the joy it brings to those who receive it is sure to last their lifetime as they reflect upon how it made them feel. Some recipients may remember what each card said, but there is no doubt that all will remember the overwhelming happiness they felt upon sharing the love with others who shared it with them on Valentine’s Day.