By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – The Northboro Junior Woman’s Club (NJWC) has been sending Valentine’s Day cards to veterans for the past 10 years as part of their Valentines for Veterans project. The project began when a small group of club members decided to make cards for relatives who were veterans. It has since evolved into a town-wide project, and this year over 1,000 cards were sent to veterans and active servicemen.
“We thought it would be a nice way just to say thank you,” said NJWC member Mary Anne Bryant. “The men and women who have served our country deserve the utmost respect and recognition for their sacrifices. We are humbled to be able to provide this very small service to those who have given their all.”
Over the years, the number of card recipients have increased. NJWC members’ personal connections to veterans continues to be one of the sources for the project, but they have since partnered with the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 in Northborough to expand their reach. At first, the focus was going to be just to send cards to Northborough residents, but the group decided to include everyone. As more cards were needed, more card makers were needed.
Bryant, who works at the Marion E. Zeh Elementary School, initiated the effort there about five years ago and the other three Northborough elementary schools quickly became involved as well. Over the past three years, several Northborough Girl Scout troops have also joined the card-making effort.
Bryant said that the students all created amazing cards, which were filled with messages of caring, support and thanks to our veterans.
“The students are so receptive to making the valentines,” she said. “We are so blessed to have the compassion of children at an elementary age who show so much respect and honor for our veterans.”
Fannie E. Proctor School Principal Alana Cyr was thrilled to once again have their students be a part of the Valentines for Veterans project and she hoped that every student would make at least one card.
Members of NJWC collected, packaged and stamped over 1,000 cards to veterans around the country, along with packages sent to Veterans, Inc., Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the VA Boston Healthcare System. In addition, two boxes of cards were shipped to the USS Carl Vinson, currently on tour in the Pacific and on which 2001 Algonquin Regional High School graduate and Northborough native Petty Officer 1st Class Evan Trombley is currently serving.
“This is a wonderful project with an enormous amount of community support,” said NJWC Public Issues Chair Linda Bishop. “It is a simple way to say thank you to the wonderful women and men who have served our country.”
NJWC is a nonprofit organization and through their fundraising efforts, such as their fall craft fair, projects like Valentines for Veterans continue to be funded. Find more information on NJWC at www.northborojuniors.org.
(Photos/submitted)