YMCA children spread love with valentines for Meals on Wheels seniors

For thousands of seniors, Meals on Wheels Orange County provides not just a meal.

It’s also a friendly visit that can reduce isolation and loneliness. On Valentine’s Day, it will come with a fun bonus.

One hundred children in YMCA of Orange County after-school programs have been decorating 500-plus valentines over the last couple of weeks. The valentines, along with little plush toys, will be delivered to seniors with the Feb. 14 meal delivery.

“They can think about more than just their own little world,” said Krista Poitras, YMCA of Orange County child and youth development director. “They think about other people.”

Third-grader Leila, 8, adds another red heart to her valentines card that she is making for Meals on Wheels senior citizens on Wednesday at the Peterson Elementary School YMCA in Huntington Beach.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Students at the Peterson Elementary YMCA location in Huntington Beach were hard at work designing some of the valentines on Wednesday afternoon.

Leila, 8, a third-grader at Peterson, focused intently as she finished off her first Valentine’s Day card.

“I think it’s a really nice thing,” Leila said. “I think it’ll make people very happy, make them smile. I like Valentine’s Day. It’s the same month as my birthday, and I like seeing all of flowers, chocolate and teddy bears in the stores and stuff.”

Fourth-grader Madison, 9, left, makes a valentines card for senior citizens through Meals on Wheels on Wednesday at the Peterson Elementary School YMCA in Huntington Beach.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

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