Valentine’s Day cards brighten seniors’ holiday
Valentine’s Day was a little brighter for some area senior citizens.
An effort coordinated by Senior Helpers of Southwest Pittsburgh in Bethel Park resulted in the collection of 1,303 Valentine’s Day cards created by students at local elementary schools, as well as folks from day cares and businesses.
Anne Dutton, scheduling manager for Senior Helpers of Southwest Pittsburgh, said this is the organization’s third year of collecting Valentine’s Day cards for the seniors. This year’s effort generate more than 1,000 more cards for distribution.
“We reach out to local schools and day care centers and some of our caregivers’ children and ask them to make Valentine’s cards for the seniors,” Dutton said. “Once we collect them all, we divide them up and deliver them to our clients and then we go to local nursing homes and senior centers, depending on how many (cards) we have, and deliver them to the residents.”
Dutton said the idea came from discussions about what they could do for the organization’s clients.
“I said something about Valentine’s cards, and it just snowballed from there,” she said. “Now, all Senior Helpers from coast to coast do it.”
The cards go a long way in battling isolation among senior citizens during a holiday that can be difficult for those who live alone. According to AARP, 82% of U.S. adults prefer to spend Valentine’s Day with someone rather than alone. The cards help to ensure seniors feel loved and appreciated during the holiday.
Cards were delivered to senior care facilities and nursing homes Valentine’s Day weekend, with some deliveries made by the children of caregivers.
Deliveries this year went to the Helmsley House of Upper St. Clair, Provincial Bethel Park, The Pines of Mt. Lebanon, Friendship Village of South Hills in Upper St. Clair and Celebrations Villa of South Hills.
“Just the smiles on their faces make it worth everything,” Dutton said.