Valentines for Vets

"Valentines for Vets" is an annual project of newspaper columnist Ann Landers. Each year, Ann Landers encourages her readers to send valentines to veterans in care facilities in the United States and Canada. For the past three years, Canadian readers have been invited to send valentines to Veterans Affairs Canada with the idea of sharing this gesture with veterans across the country.

More than 2,400 valentines were received last year and distributed to veterans in Canadian care facilities. From the young and old, from classrooms and living rooms, and from across the country, Canadians from coast to coast sent messages and valentine greetings of heartfelt thanks and good wishes. Cheery letters and hand-made cards from classes of school children are just samples of the greetings. From one couple, "More than 50 years has passed by, but we will never forget the day you Canadian soldiers came to our town in Holland.... We thank you so much for all that you have done for us. God bless you all." Others wrote: "Thank you, my friend, for giving of yourself, so I could raise my girls in a free country." "Thank you for your service to our country, and for your sacrifice for our freedom." "Here is a card from someone who cares. Thank you for what you did for our country. If you ever feel sad or depressed, you can read this card and think of me. Here's a hug for you!"

From the Brock Fahrni Pavillion in Vancouver, "I would like to take this opportunity to express sincere gratitude and heartwarming response to the very special valentines received from Bayview Hill Elementary School, Richmond Hill, Ontario, through your Ann Landers Valentine Veterans programme. Thanks again for involving us in your project."

From Parkwood Hospital, London, Ontario, "The Veterans enjoy very much receiving cards and letters from students, and we, the staff, appreciate your taking the time to remember these men and women on Valentine's Day."

This year, Ann Landers' column appeared in Canadian newspapers on January 10th and readers were again invited to send valentines to Veterans Affairs Canada's Head Office in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Valentines will be opened, sorted and then repackaged for distribution to veterans in care facilities where the Department has contract beds, in time for Valentines Day.

Valentines for veterans may be sent to:

Veterans Affairs Canada
P.O. Box 7700
Charlottetown, PEI C1A 8M9

A selection of Valentines is displayed on our site.