‘Inspiring a very kind and loving community’

Valentine’s for Seniors program collects thousands of cards each year

By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, volunteers with Bonner County’s Valentine’s for Seniors program have begun to set up baskets all over the area to collect cards, drawings and decorations for these beloved members of the community. Simply drop off a store-bought or handmade card — or 10 — at participating locations by Friday, Feb. 6, and founder Donna Price will deliver them to people at local senior centers, home healthcare programs, assisted and senior living homes and hospital and hospice rooms.

“What started out as a simple gesture towards our seniors at the Sandpoint Senior Center has turned into a complete Bonner County program,” said Price. “Last year, I collected over 2000 cards and pieces of art that the facilities can also use to decorate.”

Inspired by a similar program in Coeur d’Alene, Price started up the local Valentine’s for Seniors program six years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic. For many of those original recipients, the valentines were a lifeline to the outside world during the lockdown.

“Many of those people didn’t make it to the next year, which meant that was the very last valentine that they ever received,” said Price. “What touches my heart is knowing that our seniors know that they’re still being thought of.”

The annual program has only grown since, with local schools and churches, as well as the clients of Panhandle Special Needs, Inc., all donating thousands of valentines every year.

“What I have learned from this whole experience is that we have an amazing community that comes together and remembers our seniors, who sometimes are shut off in the world and don’t get visitors or don’t get out very much,” said Price.

Anyone looking to contribute can reach out to Price at [email protected] or visit Bonner County’s Valentine’s for Seniors’ Facebook page. Drop-off locations include:

Priest River — Jo Mamas, Greenhouse Coffee Co. and Infinity Cafe;

Sagle — Buckin’ Beans, Fry Creek Animal Clinic and Pierce Auto;

Cocolalla — Cupcake Baker Coffee Co. and the View Cafe;

Sandpoint — Creations for Sandpoint, Evans Brothers Coffee, Eve’s Leaves, Finan McDonald, Miller’s Country Store, Missi Balison Fitness, Panhandle Cone & Coffee, Sanctuary Seconds, Sandpoint Super Drug and Trudy’s Hallmark;

Ponderay — Cafe 95, Great Clips, Hoot Owl Cafe and Perfection Tire.

“Seeing this program grow the way it has — I had no idea that I would be able to continue it after the first year,” said Price. “I actually have people contacting me to make sure we’re doing it again, and that’s what inspires me — is knowing that we’re inspiring a very kind and loving community.”