Project Valentine Info and Donation Opportunities

 

Valentine Card making is currently in full swing at our house and many of you have heard me mention Project Valentine and wonder exactly what it is and how you can help. The deadline for this years event is coming up soon, but below are some ways you can still help. Ciara and I will have the privilege of delivering to the Thornton Cancer Center this year, so we're feeling very blessed.  My friend Carrie, was blessed to receive a bag several years ago and has been delivering to patients ever since. Here are a few pictures from last year. 

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Project Valentine was founded in February of 2002 by Colleen Anderson, with the mission of making Valentine's Day a "little sweeter" for individuals in the Denver area undergoing cancer treatment.  Since that time, Project Valentine volunteers have created and donated items to assemble hundreds of gift bags.  These gift bags are hand-delivered to men, women and children undergoing cancer treatment on Valentine's Day.

Delivery Stats for 2011: Our best year yet! At 607 bags delivered, we were able to personally reach more than 244 women, 172 men, 124 children, and had 81 additional gift bags that were appropriate for adult women or men.

Ideas for bags are endless! Handmade gifts are not only appropriate; they are often the most appreciated items we distribute. Remember, we serve cancer patients from all walks of life: young and old, male and female, and those of all faiths.  Since cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are susceptibility to infection, all items must be NEW or newly made.

Need ideas? Here are some items we need for 2012:

• Crossword, Sudoku, or Word Search books
• Decks of cards
• Puzzles or Travel Games (played by 1 or 2)
• Journals
• Note cards
• Bookmarks
• Unscented or slightly scented lotions*
• Hand sanitizers
• Water bottles
• Gift cards ($5 & $10)
• Candy, gum, mints - individually wrapped**
• New CDs of comforting and inspiring music (suitable for all religious faiths)
• Hand made or purchased knit scarves and hats
• Fuzzy, warm socks or Stretch gloves (one size fits all)
• Handmade jewelry or jewelry kits
• Simple craft kits

*  We cannot accept home-made food items.
** Please package handmade items (scarf, hat, jewelry) individually in a ziplock baggie. 

If you can give one item, ten, or a hundred - we will be delighted with what you give!

           Give your donations to a Project Valentine board member or  volunteer.  Or you can deliver them to us:

·         Jan 14 (1- 4 pm) Valentine Making at Colorado Community Church, 3651 S. Colorado Blvd., Englewood

·         Jan 28 (10:00 - 4:00pm)  Inventory Day at Colorado Community Church

·         We'd love to have most items received by our Inventory Day (January 28, 2012), but will continue to   accept donations through 11:00 am on Assembly Day (February 11, 2012) at CCC.

Project Valentine is a 501-c3 non-profit organization so your donation is tax deductible.   Visit our website at www.projectvalentine.org for more information.