Dominic Farrenkopf, activities director at Sapphire Lutheran Homes in Hamilton, is asking the community to send his residents a little love this Valentine’s Day.
About four years ago, a resident came to Farrenkopf to see if it would be possible to put envelopes on all the doors and then put valentine cards in them. Farrenkopf really liked the idea. He asked students at schools and daycares to make special envelopes and decorate them for each resident. Then people could drop off valentines to fill the envelopes.
The project is now really popular, and growing every year.
Last year the envelopes were so full they had to be emptied more than once.
Farrenkopf switched from envelopes to medium-sized gift bags, and the kids are decorating those bags for even more valentines.
At Hamilton’s Keystone after-school program, students spend their Thursdays either thinking about the future with career presentations or thinking about others with service projects. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the Keystone kids spent this past Thursday creating custom greeting cards with various shades of pink, red and purple for the residents at Sapphire Lutheran Homes. Prior to making the cards, the kids and staff spent time talking about how everyone, young or old, should feel loved every day, especially Valentine’s Day. They really wanted to make their card recipients smile and they got to work decorating!
Farrenkopf is hoping for a huge response this year, to inundate the 150 residents with valentines. He’s asking anybody and everybody – including schools, civic groups, churches, daycares, and individuals – to participate. Anyone wishing to contribute some valentines can mail or drop them off at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, 501 N. 10th, Hamilton, attn. Dominic. The facility is open 24 hours a day and cards can be dropped off at any time. Farrenkopf said to address them “Dear Resident” or “Dear Valentine.”
People are encouraged to contribute as many or as few as they can manage. All are greatly appreciated.