Project aims to brighten Valentine’s Day for seniors

SANDPOINT — The Senior Citizen Project is back to brighten Valentine’s Day for local seniors.

Donna Price organizes the project with a goal of 900 cards. Last year the project received over 1,400 cards thanks to this “amazing community, Price said.

Cards can be bought or handmade and can be given at businesses across Bonner County. They will then be delivered to senior centers in Sandpoint, Clark Fork and Priest River.

“We were able to include three senior apartment complexes, two care facilities in Spirit Lake, and numerous seniors who had been sheltering in due to COVID or other health concerns,” said Price.

Cards have been mailed from as far as Missouri and California. The heart-shaped baskets have been dropped off and the collecting has begun.

“When you drop off your cards, please make sure to “thank” the businesses,” Price said. “Without them, I couldn’t get all the cards collected.”

As of earlier this week Price has collected 466 cards. The final date to drop off cards is Feb. 9, to allow the final sorting of cards and to get them delivered Feb. 10 and 11, for staff to get them to seniors before Valentine’s Day.

Cards will be delivered to senior centers, assisted living and care facilities, and senior apartment complexes. In addition, a woman who works at in-home health care out of Laclede will be delivering them to her clients.

Locations for card drop off includes,

Sagle — Java Bear, Pierce Auto, Sagle post office, Sagle Elementary School, and Fry Creek Animal Clinic.

Ponderay — Cafe 95, Verizon and Fiesta Bonita.

Sandpoint — Sharon’s Hallmark, Spuds, MickDuff’s, Finan McDonald, Bluebird Bakery, Panhandle Coffee & Cone, Jalapeños, Evans Brothers Coffee, Sandpoint Super Drug, Kokanee Coffee, YMCA, Monarch Coffee, Cat Sanctuary Thrift Store on Church Street, Christ Our Redeemer Church, Missi Balison Fitness and Miller’s Country Store.