Valentines for Vets Program Continues for 5th Straight Year

Elementary school students to present local veterans with Thank You Valentines

More than 600 cards to be delivered at Friday’s student assemblies

Elementary school students at Jefferson Elementary School in Rotterdam are set to present hundreds of Valentine’s Day cards with ‘Thank You’ messages to representatives from AmVets Post, Military Order of the Purple Heart and members of the 109th Airlift Wing during a ceremony this Friday, February 10th. Later, at 2pm, more than 500 cards will be presented at the Marie Curie Institute of Engineering & Communication in Amsterdam, NY.

The presentation is part of an annual Valentines for Vets program, which was started by Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara five years ago and gives students the opportunity to show their appreciation for local veterans while learning more about the brave men and women in uniform who serve their country.

Assemblyman Santabarbara will be joined by local veterans in an official ceremony with students singing the National Anthem followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Assemblyman Santabarbara, AmVets Commander Doug VanIderstyne and other local veterans will address the students, who will then share their personal messages and cards prepared for the event.

Cards will be delivered to veterans at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center and to members of the 109th Airlift Wing following the events.

********** Event Details *********

WHAT: Elementary school students from the Schalmont Central School District and Amsterdam Central School District will present veterans from AmVets Post 35, Military Order of the Purple Heart and the 109th Airlift Wing with more than 650 “Valentines for Vets” cards.

WHO: Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders, AmVets Post 35, and members of the 109th Airlift Wing, Military Order of the Purple Heart and Assemblyman Santabarbara.

EVENT 1: WHERE & WHEN: Jefferson Elementary School, 100 Princetown Rd, Schenectady, NY 12306 at 11am, Friday, Feb. 10th

EVENT 2: WHERE &WHEN: Marie Curie Institute of Engineering and Communication, 9 Brice Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010 at 2pm, Friday, Feb. 10th