Each year, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) invites Canadian schools, individuals, and organizations to make Valentines for Vets. VAC then distributes the valentines to veterans in long-term care facilities across the country in time for February 14.
VAC became involved with the program in 1996 and has been receiving and distributing valentines to veterans in care facilities across the country ever since. You can read more about the program here
After reading about this program, I realized this was a great opportunity for the PEI MFRC to partner with the Girl Guides of Canada. After contacting their head office, I received an almost immediate and very enthusiastic reply. Three local groups, the Hunter River Girl Guides, Spring Park Guides (Ch’town), and the Queens District Pathfinders (Ch’town) made dozens and dozens of beautiful valentines . . . pink and red, hearts and flowers, ribbon and lace— all with heartfelt messages of thanks to our veterans.
The mission statement on the Girl Guides of Canada says: Girl Guides of Canada enables girls to be confident, resourceful, and courageous and to make a difference in the world. These beautiful valentines are proof of this, and they certainly made a difference to all the veterans who received them.
A sincere thank you to the Hunter River Girl Guides, Spring Park Guides and the Queens District Pathfinders!
This post was written by Lynn Milligan, MFRC Program Coordinator.
Fantastic initiative. Thank you Hunter River Girl Guides, Spring Park Guides and the Queens District Pathfinders!