BCRW 2025 Valentine’s Love

By Nan Hancock

It all started when I saw a Valentine box in a church foyer asking members to make or buy Valentines to be given to Senior Centers and Homebound Seniors.  “That would be a great service project for the Bonneville County Republican Women”, I thought to myself.

So, I made the suggestion to Beverly Kingsford, our club president, and being the great leader that she is, she asked me to go for it.  Well, not being one to say no often (although I am working on saying it more), I said, “OK”.  Beverly put the request out for Valentines on our BCRW Signal chat and I made a plug for it at the Feb. 6th monthly meeting.

I decided to go a little different route since this church was going to deliver to Senior Centers.  I called The Haven and Ruth House which is a place for displaced women with children, and single women needing assistance.  I called the Rescue Mission which is a place for men to stay until they can get back on their feet.  Next, I called Promontory Point, which is a rehabilitation center.  They were all thrilled at the prospect of our delivering Valentines to the people they were serving at the time. I also called Lincoln Court where my Mom had lived before she passed.  We needed 350 Valentines for all the places contacted.  Ok!!!!??? 

Over the course of a couple of weeks we reached our goal with the women of the BCRW and their grandchildren and husbands making or buying the number needed.

On Feb. 10, Beverly and I went to Promontory Point, The Haven and Ruth House (which are now in the same location), and The Men’s Rescue Mission.  We gave the Valentines to the directors to hand out at those locations (for privacy reasons).  All of the directors were so kind and thankful that we remembered their people.  We had good conversations with them and even learned of more ways we could help in the future.  At the Men’s Rescue Mission, we were given a tour of their facilities and found out that they have a soup kitchen that serves about 100 people every evening.  Lots of volunteers were busy preparing for that evening's meal.

On Feb. 11, Debra Haake, Marilyn Mills, Melissa LaPray, Beverly Kingsford, Nan Hancock, and Jilene Burger met at Lincoln Court.  We each took a basket full of various Valentines to hand out to the residents.  Donna, whom I had first contacted at Lincoln Court, was so helpful and loving.  She escorted Marilyn back to the Memory Center and the rest of us took a hallway.  We knocked on doors and entered as many rooms as residents were home and gave greetings, love, and Valentines.  We were given wonderful receptions and many thank yous, and even some who asked who we represented gave us thumbs up and high fives.  Each of these women can tell you their own stories of the special people they met and conversed with. One man had a certificate of achievement on his nightstand for being the “Most Charismatic”. As we left Bev said, “See you later Mister Charismatic!” He laughed and told us to be sure to come back.

On Feb. 13th, Marilyn Mills, Kayen Hayes, Melissa, LaPray, Jilene Burger and Nan Hancock went to the Soup Kitchen on 3rd and Blvd. to hand out Valentine baggies, made by Genene Lehotsky full of goodies, to the people as they came into the warm room to eat the yummy-looking food being prepared and served to them by willing volunteers.  We had a warm reception and loved their smiling faces and kind thank yous. One of the dear ladies that was helping hand out valentines had a special experience.  Her stepbrother came in to get some food.  He recognized her and gave her a hug.  She hadn’t had contact with him for many years and had wondered how he was doing. She was able to take a picture with him and said it was a Godsend.

We still had some Valentines left so Jilene and I delivered them to residents at Parkwood Meadows, a Senior Center.  More special smiles and good conversations were had. 

*Bev’s note: Thank you to the many kind women who took time out of their days to spread a little love to those in need by making and delivering valentines, and especially to Nan for heading up this project, making all the contacts, and writing this post. I know she worked very hard on this! I know some names may not have been mentioned, but your contribution made it possible to meet this wild goal in such a short time. I sure love these awesome women of the BCRW!