Area seniors getting special Valentine's Day cards from crafty youth

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Seniors across Shawnee and Jefferson Counties will receive something extra special with their meal this week.

Meals on Wheels of Shawnee and Jefferson Counties, Inc. will be handing out homemade Valentine’s Day cards created by youth volunteers from across the country. DoSomething.org has teamed up with Meals on wheel America for the third annual Love Letters campaign.

The campaign encourages young people to create handmade cards to lift the spirits of older adults.

“Love Letters is one of DoSomething.org’s most popular campaigns because young people get to use their creativity to brighten older adults’ day during a peak time of isolation and depression,” said Naomi Hirabayashi, chief marketing offiver, DoSomething.org.

Meals on Wheels of Shawnee and Jefferson Counties President and CEO Heidi Pickerell says that numerous day cares, church groups and youth groups have contributed to the Valentine’s that will distributed in the area.

“What this speaks of is what we already know, Topeka is a kind, caring community as is the rest of the area that we serve,” she said. “Truly people come out in droves just to help us and to recognize those seniors who really are isolated but so enjoy having that contact.”