MARTIN COUNTY -- This Valentine's Day, the YMCA of the Treasure Coast's Youth-in-Government program wants to make sure that local veterans are not forgotten. The young adults involved in Youth-in-Government organized a drive for the community to write Valentine's Day cards for area veterans.
Last year the group was able to deliver more than 500 cards. This year they are hoping to do more.
Youth in Government is a service-learning program that offers high school students the opportunity to serve in a model government process at the local, state, national, and international levels. Currently the YMCA of the Treasure Coast has more than 60 young adults from both Martin County and South Fork High Schools that participate in the program. These teens plan to ask their family, friends, and YMCA members to join them in making Valentine's Day card for veterans.
In 2012, YIG member, Lily Tysinger, organized the first "Valentines for Veterans" as a service project that she needed for her role as Florida YIG State Commissioner of Agriculture.
Now a senior at South Fork, Lily thinks that the project is a great idea to do again because she feels it's important to thank those people that put their lives on the line.
"I hope this project continues long past my graduation," said Lily. "I think it is fantastic for future Youth- in-Government students to have the chance to participate and see how much it does for others."
"Last year, it was so rewarding to deliver the Valentine's Day cards to the veterans," said Christina Wood, the Y's Youth in Government Program director. "I saw the appreciation and heard the thanks from so many. The students in the program saw what an impact it made and wanted to do it again this year."
In addition to the cards, YIG members will use "Valentines for Veterans" as a project to educate young children about what a veteran is and why the VA hospital is so important.