LOCAL

Will you send a Valentine's Day card, flowers to a lonely senior in VIP America campaign?

Catie Wegman
Treasure Coast Newspapers

 Are you willing to send Valentine's Day flowers and handwritten notes to seniors in assisted living facilities or receiving at-home care?

VIP America Home Health Referrals hopes Treasure Coast residents participate in its inaugural Roses & Love Notes event on Feb. 14.

“Sometimes seniors and those in assisted living facilities get forgotten,” said company spokesperson Sam Yates. “We’re not encouraging people to spend money. It’s really more from the heart — just to let someone know that you care."

Cora Meyer on Valentine's Day 2017.

Donating silk roses is a practical alternative to real ones since they won't be delivered until Valentine's Day, Yates said, and they're less expensive. 

The company hopes to have at least 500 Valentine's Day cards to give seniors and urges all residents, churches, schools and businesses to participate. 

VIP America will deliver the roses and notes to seniors receiving care from its company first, and any left over will be given to seniors in local assisted living facilities, according to a news release. 

How to donate

Donations: Drop off letters and flowers at the company's Stuart office at 2500 S. Kanner Highway, Suite 1.

Questions: Call VIP America at 772-207-3408. 

Other ways to help 

  • Have flowers delivered, or deliver them yourself if you live nearby
  • If your loved one has old letters from the love of their life, dust them off and read them together
  • A special treat is even sweeter when it’s shared, so sit awhile and share something yummy
  • Get the kids involved. Seniors love homemade valentines, even better if they include a recent photo
  • Share a special breakfast or lunch and stories of a loved one
  • Frame an old photo of you with your senior and include a card about how much they mean to you
  • Continue a tradition they may have shared with their late spouse or make a new tradition
  • Just be there for them. Your time and presence can add happiness to a day that may have otherwise been lonely.

Catie Wegman is a TCPalm community reporter. Have a question you want answered? She can be reached by email at catie.wegman@tcpalm.com, or you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @Catie_Wegman and Facebook @catiewegman1.