Hinchey’s Office Delivers Over 5,000 Valentines to Nursing Homes and Veterans Organizations as Part of Valentines For Seniors Card Drive

February 14, 2023

ALBANY, NY – State Senator Michelle Hinchey and members of her Constituent Services Team visited area nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and veterans organizations in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene and Ulster counties to deliver Valentine’s Day cards created by students in the 41st Senate District as part of the Senator’s third annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive. More than 5,000 valentines have been delivered to 18 nursing homes and 5 veterans organizations just in time for Valentine’s Day, thanks to contributions from 41 participating school districts.

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “One small act of kindness can go a long way, and the goal of our annual Valentines for Seniors Card Drive has always been to show our senior neighbors that they are loved and cherished. The response to this initiative continues to exceed our expectations year after year, and it’s thanks to the compassion of local students, teachers, and community members who have shown us that the love runs deep in our community. I want to thank everyone in the 41st District who contributed — we already can’t wait to continue the tradition next year!

Jennifer Rickert, 5th Grade Teacher, Ichabod Crane Middle School, said, “It was such an honor to have our fifth grade class create Valentines for our local Seniors. We were very happy to participate in Senator Hinchey's annual Valentines for Seniors program and look forward to doing it again next year. Watching our students carefully design their Valentines and decorate them, writing thoughtful and sweet messages, knowing that they would be opened by local Seniors, was truly heartwarming. We hope that we have contributed to giving many folks in our community a big smile and a feeling of being loved and appreciated on Valentine's Day.”

Michelle Feller, Assistant Administrator and Program Manager for the Center For Advanced Memory Care, Ferncliff Nursing Home, said, “We would like to express our sincere appreciation and thank Senator Hinchey for visiting The Center For Advanced Memory Care at Ferncliff Nursing Home. The Valentine’s For Seniors program is a great intergenerational program and the perfect way to bridge the gap between children and seniors. The handmade cards brought the residents so much joy. After the gathering, they were excited to share their cards with others on the unit. Thank you, Senator Hinchey, for sharing your time with us!”

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Ichabod CSD: Ichabod Crane Middle School
Ichabod CSD: Ichabod Crane High School
Chatham CSD: Chatham High School
Chatham CSD: Chatham Middle School
Taconic CSD: Taconic High School
Hudson CSD: M. C. Smith Elementary School
Hudson CSD: Hudson Jr High School