Valentines for Troops began locally in January 2006 as a second grade letter-writing exercise at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Since then, tens of thousands of cards and letters have been sent to active-duty military both overseas during time of war and to units at home in the US.

This year, American Legion Post 202 and Hearts of Hope-Newtown will be supporting a US Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Unit that will be deployed overseas in the spring. The unit of flight nurses and aeromedical evacuation technicians respond to both medical and aircraft emergencies while evacuating sick or wounded personnel from combat zones.

The unit includes Air Force Captain Gracie Cudney, RN, the niece of an American Legion Post 202 member.

Hearts of Hope plans to send one heart to each of the 150 members of the unit. American Legion Post 202 has pledged $250 to kick-start this outreach as a sponsor for this event.

The public is invited to join this effort when Hearts of Hope-Newtown hosts its next in-person event on Wednesday, February 8. All are invited to join the group from 6 to 8 pm at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.

Thanks to generous donations by individual and corporate sponsors, this month’s event is free of charge. Additional donations will be gratefully accepted.

Should the February 8 event exceed the goal of 150 hearts, the additional Hearts of Hope will be shared with patients evacuated by the USAF unit.

Reservations are requested and can be done via e-mail to ivy@ourheartsofhope.org.

To learn more, visit ourheartsofhope.org or contact Ivy Pearson at the e-mail address above.