Valentine’s Day is here and students at Dutchess BOCES’ Alternative High School and Salt Point Center have shown their love and appreciation for local veterans in the form of colorful valentines.
The cards, some adorned with American flag and camouflage hearts, were delivered between January 26 and 27 to veterans at Castle Point Veterans Hospital in Wappingers Falls. SPC’s valentines, black hearts with colorful messages and pictures, were delivered to Congressman Sean Maloney’s office on February 9 for his staff to bring to Castle Point.
Physical Education Teacher Susan Briggs-Lopane previously worked on the Valentine project and wanted to bring it to BOCES. This school year marks the first time both BETA and SPC students have made valentines.
Students may not always have the opportunity to perform community service and Briggs-Lopane finds this project serves as an adequate alternative.
“I’ve brought it into the classroom,” she said. “This is kind of the beginning of community service.” This project shows service members they are appreciated all year long, not only on Veteran’s Day. Past recipients of the valentines have expressed their gratitude to students.
“Everybody wants a heart for Valentine’s Day,” Briggs-Lopane said. “It’s just something I thought we could do that is simple, but beneficial.” 
Senior Connor Hill was surprised to learn BOCES has a connection with local veterans, but was happy to make valentines for them. He empathizes with veterans who have mobility issues and hopes the cards help brighten their day.
“I’m making someone’s day a little better,” Hill said. “I always write something nice in the cards for them.” The project is meaningful for junior Celia Esposito because her late grandfather was a veteran who would be proud to see her make valentines for his fellow service members.
“I’m happy to do it,” Esposito said. “We should show a lot of respect to them because they’re risking a lot and working really hard to protect our country.”
While not all students may know what a veteran is, they can understand how lonely they are at a nursing home where they cannot have visitors, Salt Point Social Worker Lisa Roth said.
“We don’t want them to feel so lonely,” Roth said. “This is such a kind thing for them to do to help the veterans to know that people are thinking about them.”