The Minot Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary has a big goal to reach for its annual activity of making valentines for deployed military members and veterans. The goal is 2,000 homemade valentines.
To carry out the effort, the auxiliary is asking for the assistance of local youth groups and anyone else interested in helping.
A valentine-making event will be held Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the north meeting room of the Minot Public Library. Family members of youth are welcome to join the activity, said Linda Hyatt, coordinator of the auxiliary's project. Those who would like to participate can stay for a short time or the entire time whatever their schedule allows, she said.
Those who cannot attend the Wednesday activity can make valentines at home. The deadline for the valentines is Feb. 11. Valentines can be dropped off at the service desk in the Arrowhead MarketPlace Foods store or contact Hyatt.
The local auxiliary has been making valentines for veterans for more than 20 years. Hyatt said they normally make enough valentines about 500 to cover those in the Fargo Veterans Administration Hospital, the Lisbon Veterans Home, the Minot nursing homes, the National Guard unit in Minot and other service personnel they are aware of.
"But our big need desire is for the additional 1,500 valentines so we can 'treat' the airmen residing in the dormitories on Minot Air Force Base," Hyatt said.
Fact Box
More details about
valentine project
For more information about making valentines for deployed military members and veterans, a project of the Minot Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary, call Linda Hyatt at 852-5258 or e-mail her at minotmom@aol.com.
She said people who are willing to share addresses of deployed military members can contact her or they can get a homemade valentine from the group and mail it themselves to the service member.
The auxiliary will provide materials for the valentines at the Wednesday night event but those who have special stickers, glitter or gel markers, papers, etc., they would like to use are welcome to bring them.
Refreshments will be available at the event.
Hyatt said they are asking groups making valentines to sign them with the group's name. Individuals may sign if they desire.
The project is spearheaded by the American Legion Auxiliary but "it is truly a comunity effort," Hyatt said.