Valentines for Vets

Using creativity, tapping empathy

Students in Trisha Patwell's third grade class discussed hope, community, service, helping others and different ways to be brave after listening to Dr. Jill Biden read her book “Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops.” The picture book was inspired by her granddaughter Natalie waiting for her dad to come home from deployment.
 
Students used some of the ideas in the book to write thoughtful notes in valentines for local veterans. This was one of many ways that teachers folded lessons on empathy and self expression into Valentines for Vets, a favorite Valentine's Day activity. 
 
The school partners with New York State Assembly member Chris Burdick's office on the national initiative. Representatives from his office pick up the cards and distribute to local Veterans before Valentines Day.