By Megan and Morgan Farley Staff Writers
Loyola's School of Education sponsored its first annual "Valentines for Veterans" project this past week. Last Tuesday through Friday, students, faculty and members of the community were encouraged to come to Beatty Hall to decorate personal valentines that are to be delivered to the Baltimore Veteran Affairs Medical Center on February 10. The Committee for Action and Reflection in Education (CARE) planned this project in January as a community service project that would involve the entire campus. The CARE Committee is comprised of 7-8 members who meet bimonthly to share and plan ideas for possible projects. Jeanne Muscella, administrative assistant to the Teacher Education Department describes the main goal of the project as "something that says 'thank you' to some very deserving individuals such as our veterans who are hospitalized." Valentine's Day is often seen as a day to celebrate relationships with significant others, but this project emphasizes the relationships between citizens and those who have fought for their rights and safety. "We send thanks with all our hearts" read the banner above the well supplied and beautifully decorated table set up in Beatty Hall for anyone to drop by and make a valentine. Supplies to design a valentine included foam hearts, heart doilies, construction paper, stickers, and tissue paper hearts. Along with making the valentines at the table, some education teachers opted to allow students to make cards during class. Dr. Catherine Castellan's, of the Teacher Education Program, Introduction to Elementary Education class created these tokens of appreciation, recognizing special relationships with those who have impacted the lives of strangers. "I made valentines because I like doing things for other people and just showing a little kindness can put a smile on someone's face, and it lets them know that people are thankful for what they are doing for their country," says Kathryn Downes, a freshman elementary education major whose father served as a Marine in the Gulf War. The CARE Committee was unsure of how this project would be received; it was successful with many Valentine's Day cards made. In addition to efforts on campus, student teachers from the School of Education prompted their elementary and secondary education classrooms to design valentines for veterans. Another option included making a valentine and placing it in the drop off box located in Beatty Hall. Muscella was pleased when two faculty members from the Women's Center, whose offices are located in Seton Court, made the walk to Beatty to make their own cards for veterans. This made it evident that people were responding to the announcement on the NewsHound. "It's nice to make vets smile," said Jessica Aikens, a 2009 graduate of the School of Education who made a valentine while in the education office. Service does not have to involve monetary contributions and lengthy time commitments, simply taking a few minutes to acknowledge those who have served can impact the recipients of the valentines. Debbie Anthony of the Teacher Education Department generously volunteered to make the delivery to the hospital located on North Greene Street on the University of Maryland at Baltimore campus. The vision of the Department of Veteran Affairs is "to provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned - and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship." The initiative of "Valentines for Veterans" supports this vision and brings to light the importance of recognizing the service of men and women in the armed forces who are now struggling with health-related issues.
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