General Focus:
Valentine's Day
This project was designed to have some fun making old-fashioned Valentines with a variety of individuals confined for one reason or another.
Audience:
Elderly, ill
Benefiting:
- Convalescent Hospital
- Assisted Living Center
- Hospital (in another city)
Budget:
$50.00 + donations
HOW-TO
Preliminary Steps
- Call each of the agencies to find out how many residents they have and if they would be receptive to your idea to come in with cards.
- Draw up a flyer and send out invitations to friends, coworkers, relatives and church friends, outlining the ideas and asking for participation.
- Take discount coupons to local craft store and purchase the following (using calculator to stay on budget):
- Pink, white, and red construction paper
- Doilies of all sizes
- Rolls of ribbon (to make small bows, etc.)
- Glitter, glue, buttons, small flowers
- Set up dining room table, card tables, coffee table
- Get out all scissors, pinking shears, edge cutters, hole punches
- Write simple messages on the inside like "you are loved"
- Put down newspaper on kitchen counters and set up glue guns and glitter areas for the kids. Have an old fashioned Valentine making party.
The Event
- Make as many homemade cards as you can.
- Serve punch, small valentine candies, and cookies.
- With volunteers, take the Valentines to the various locations and hand them out with hugs and kisses.
- Expand your reach: send some of the cards to a hospital not in your town. Or multiple hospitals not in your town.
- Each person who participates should receive a small thank you gift, perhaps a bag of Valentine jellybeans or chocolates.
Someone who held this event before stated that the most touching moment was: Allowing the children the freedom to follow their creative streak. They were told they could not do anything these older people wouldn't love. Some had so much glitter, etc., on them that we wrote on the back "Made by Robert, 5 years old." They were all very touching. Handing out the Valentines touched our hearts as well.
BUDGET
| Craft supplies |
$35.00 | |
| Refreshments for volunteers (soft drinks and treats) |
$10.00 |
|
| Postage |
$12.00 |
EXAMPLE INVITATIONAL FLYER
How many years since you've made a homemade Valentine? Come and touch some lonely hearts….
To be received by patients at:
- Assisted Living Home
- Convalescent Hospital
| What: |
Valentine Making Party! We'll be using paper, stickers, stamps, buttons & bows, doilies, glitter, and a little love to stick it all together! (It will be easy!) | |
| Who: |
We hope you'll come! Certainly bring the kids! | |
| Where: |
(address) | |
| When: |
(date) |
|
| Time: |
11:00 am to 2:00 pm (stay or stop by for a few minutes) | |
| Bring: | Warm smile and joyful heart |
EXAMPLE THANK-YOU FLYER
Cupid's Arrows Touch Hearts…thanks to your kindness
Valentine's Day started with cards, flowers, and a heart cake being delivered to the residents of ______ Assisted Living Home. Next, each person at ______ Convalescent Hospital received a hug, a smile, and a card. Some of the cards went as far as ______ Hospital in (city, state) for every patient there.
A special THANKS to all of the Valentine Helpers, especially the children who made it so much fun!
"Offered freely and joyfully, these are the gifts
which win and preserve the heart and bring comfort to the soul."
