Clubs at Monroe-Woodbury High School partake in the Valentines for Seniors project in order to bring smiles to senior citizens’ faces.

New York Senator James Skoufis created the Valentine’s for Seniors project, also known as Project Valentine, in order to spread joy to senior citizens at Sapphire at Meadow Hill, a long-term care facility in Newburgh.

“This is a project where Senator Skoufis has asked the community to join together in making notes and valentines for senior citizens in the community, particularly focused on the seniors who are in long term care or nursing facilities and are unable to have visitors at this time,” said Senator Skoufis’ Director of Operations Christie Foster.

Through the help of schools, faith leaders, and other members of the community, the letters and notes that will be written are meant to spread “the love of the Valentine’s day season to our senior citizens, a group that needs it the most right now,” according to Foster.

The valentines being created by community members were sent to senior citizens at Sapphire at Meadow Hill. Although, if there are enough notes, Senator Skoufis will send letters to other locations as well.

After getting an email sent to club advisers by Mr. McElroy, an assistant principal at Monroe-Woodbury High School, clubs, such as Kids Changing the World (KCW) and Art Guild, participated in this project. However, the different clubs are submitting the letters in different ways.

When asked why he wanted to get involved in this project, KCW adviser Mr. Agro said, “I just knew that we needed to do something as a club to help people like him have a brighter day and feel good about the fact that people care about them and that they are not alone.”

Art Guild had a letter drop-off box for the letters, while KCW members made digital valentines according to freshman Jillian Meyers, project leader for Kids Changing the World.

“I think reaching out to others to say we are thinking of you will always produce smiles and good feelings. Society is a better place to be when we reach out to show we care and it is important to show students, we can always make a difference no matter how small,” said Ms. Pesce, Art Guild adviser.

“Faith leaders are organizing group card writing projects, schools are doing class projects, we have local children doing virtual card writing efforts with their friends, and parents and children writing a few together. This is a true community effort and we have people in Rockland, Ulster, and Orange counties participating. Even some people from outside Senator Skoufis’ district,” said Foster. Senator Skoufis’ office is already receiving letters from the people getting involved.

“I love Valentine’s Day so spreading love is always something I will do,” said Ms. Pesce.