Senator Hinchey’s Office Delivers Over 2,000 Valentines to Area Nursing Homes as Part of Community-Led Initiative

Saugerties, NY...State Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) and members of her Constituent Services Team this week visited area nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Albany, Greene, Montgomery, Schenectady, and Ulster counties to safely deliver Valentine’s Day cards written by students and community members in the 46th Senate District as part of the Senator’s 2021 Valentines for Seniors initiative. 

More than 2,000 valentines are set to be delivered by week’s end thanks to contributions from 17 participating schools and hundreds of local residents. Among Hinchey’s first delivery stops on Saturday morning was Ivy Lodge Assisted Living in Saugerties and Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kingston. 

“It is such a joy to be able to spread some love this Valentine’s Day weekend! We’re traveling all across the 46th Senate District to deliver cards inscribed with well-wishes that will show our senior community just how much we care about them,” said Senator Hinchey. “This has been a community effort through and through, which is really a testament to the compassionate hearts of our neighbors — the students, teachers, local scouting troops, and families — who have been so generous with their time and talents and committed to bringing joy to our seniors.”

Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Administrator Jeff Hoffman said, “It is wonderful and uplifting, during these tremendously challenging times, to see our community sending words of encouragement, caring, and faith to our residents, patients, and staff. This pandemic has changed the fundamental essence of our day and knowing that our community leaders, like Senator Hinchey, remember our mission and the patients we serve here at Golden Hill is truly inspiring and deeply appreciated. We thank Senator Hinchey from the bottom of our hearts!”

Earlier in the week, Hinchey visited Anne Lyons-Johnson’s 9th grade Global Studies class at Clayton A. Bouton High School in Voorheesville to pick up valentines and meet the students who contributed to the effort.

Lori Richmond, Substitute Secretary to the Principal at Clayton A. Bouton High School said, “From pop-ups to poems the students engaged their creative side to show their love and concern for our cherished senior residents. Several students wished to participate because they have not seen their own grandparents in months and miss them tremendously.”

Clayton A. Bouton High School Senior Madilyn Delisle said, “I just wanted to make sure everyone got one. It was a rough year and I wanted to be able to help in any way possible.”

Schools participating in Senator Hinchey’s 2021 Valentines for Seniors initiative include:

ALBANY COUNTY
A.W. Becker Elementary School in Selkirk
Guilderland Elementary and High School in Guilderland Center
Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School in Coeymans
Pine Bush Elementary School in Guilderland
Voorheesville Middle School and Clayton A. Bouton High School in Voorheesville
Westmere Elementary School in Albany

GREENE COUNTY
Catskill Middle School in Catskill

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
East Hill Elementary School in Canajoharie
Fort Plain High School in Fort Plain 

SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Duanesburg Elementary School in Delanson

ULSTER COUNTY
E.R. Crosby Elementary School in Lake Katrine
Harry L. Edson Elementary School in Kingston 
Phoenicia Elementary School in Phoenicia
Woodstock Elementary School in Woodstock

Participating scouting troops include Kingston Girl Scout Troop #60250 and Voorheesville Girl Scout Troops #5540 and #1688.

Senator Michelle Hinchey represents the 46th Senate District, which includes Greene and Montgomery Counties and parts of Albany, Schenectady, and Ulster Counties. Senator Hinchey serves as Chair of the Agriculture Committee and sits on the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Energy and Telecommunications, Environmental Conservation, and Local Government Committees.
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