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"My sons and I like to try and do things to give back, whether it is collecting food for the animals at the local shelter, or getting toiletries together to send overseas to our troops," said their mother Alicia Gasparini.
"This year, the boys and I decided we would get some help from a few of their school friends to create some valentines," she said.
What started as a small idea blossomed into school-wide projects with 10-year-old Travis and 6-year-old Colin at the helm.
"Travis walked into my office holding a picture of two marines with valentines and a letter," said Dover Elementary School Principal Herman Harmelink. "When I asked him who the marines were, he said that he had sent them valentines last year and they had sent back the photo and a letter thanking him."
The experience inspired Travis, Harmelink explained, and made him want to do something similar this year.
Harmelink announced the project to the entire school over the PA system, inviting teachers and students to participate.
Travis's younger brother, Colin, also brought the project to his fellow K-2 students at Wingdale Elementary.
"We offered the project to students and teachers, and the entire school ended up participating," said Wingdale Elementary Principal Catherine Alvarez. "We didn't make anything mandatory, but our students here have wonderful hearts."
Between Dover and Wingdale Elementary schools, 377 unique hand-made valentines were collected.
"The children here are the heart and soul of our school," said Alvarez. "The things that they have written are so beautiful and heartwarming."
"One of the cards that really stands out in my mind was a red card with a heart," said Alicia. "On the outside it read 'It must mean a lot to get a valentine card' but when you opened it inside it read 'but it means more to know that someone is fighting for you and protecting you so you can have your freedom.'"
According to Harmelink, the project helped the children become aware of the community and how they can help others.
"The fact that Castle Point is local is great so that the students are really a part of community outreach," he said.
Alvarez agreed that this project was not only a wonderful way to reach out to veterans, but also a great lesson in humanities for the students.
"The boys and I hope to continue this in future years," said Alicia. "You can never thank the veterans completely. But this is a small way, with a lot of love, to show we care."
