Volunteers Show Veterans Some Love With Special Valentine's Day Gifts
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Volunteers spent their Saturday wrapping up Valentine's Day gift bags that will be delivered to wounded veterans across New York City.
An assembly line of volunteers filled hundreds of care packages at Mr. Dennehy's Irish Pub & Restaurant on Carmine Street during an event hosted by the United War Veterans Council.
"On this day, who could you love more than a veteran?" asked Angela Coyle from the United War Veterans Council.
For 10 years, the council has been handing out perfect gift packs with toys, books and treats, CBS2's Ali Bauman reported.
"I can tell you as a veteran that's been deployed, it's really important to have contact with people at home and know that the communities are supporting you," Marine Mark Hato said.
This year, Hato was joined by Girl Scout Serena Minca, who looks to him as a role model.
"I have my uncle and cousin -- one was in Iraq and now one is in Kuwait -- and now my other cousins are going, and I'm looking to join the services too," Minca said.
Mother of a veteran, Cindy Ventura, said she was there because she finds comfort in the selfless work.
"There's no other person out there besides another mom who has a child serving who understands what we go through on a daily basis," she said. "So for me, giving back to those who gave so much keeps me whole."
"It's really nice to get something from people on that particular holiday to say, 'Hey, we see you, we remember you and we want to honor what you've done for us,'" said Lorraine Bell from the group The Daughters of the American Revolution.
Each package contains chocolates and other sweets, as well as a Valentine's Day card written by local elementary school children.
"The funny thing is with kids they say the darnedest things so we actually go through these just to check it out," the UWVC's Mark Otto said.
One card read, "Dear soldier, thank you for fighting for our country and thank you for protecting our country."
Otto said the cards are important because they connect elementary school kids with wounded veterans, instilling a lesson of patriotism at a young age.
The packages will be sent to VA hospitals across all five boroughs.
