What started as a simple idea turned into a flood of kindness for Battle Ground’s senior community.
Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. (BGSC), a local nonprofit, expected a modest response for its first Valentine’s Day card drive. Instead, volunteers brought in nearly 600 cards to local assisted living facilities, far surpassing what organizers had imagined.
“I would like to thank the community that just jumped in on this and helped us make this so successful,” Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. Board Advisor Lori Lindberg said.
The nonprofit launched the effort to send Valentine’s Day cards to seniors living in Mallard Landing Assisted Living and Creekside Place Memory Care, hoping to ease isolation and remind them they are remembered. Community members of all ages responded, delivering off handmade cards, store-bought valentines and boxes filled with notes for BGSC volunteers to drop off.
Organizers said the momentum built quickly as word spread. Businesses set out collection boxes, individuals reached out asking how to participate and community members arrived at luncheons carrying stacks of handmade cards.
“You’re not sure … if everyone will be as excited as you are, how receptive it’s gonna be, right?” Lindberg said, recalling how she felt about the new initiative. “There was such a good response … that people really want to jump in and make a difference, especially when it's something so simple like that, and it could even be a postcard … especially (for) seniors that live in facilities, that they really feel isolated. And so to get something like this, especially in a big way, would really make them feel special.”
For Sharon Wodtke, president of Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc., the reaction from the community reflected something deeper about Battle Ground and north Clark County.
“They are such a giving group. They take care of their own. They take care of each other. It is such a privilege for Lori and I,” she said.
Volunteers delivered the cards to local facilities on Valentine’s Day weekend. For Wodtke, receiving a Valentine’s card herself underscored why the project matters so much for seniors who may spend holidays alone.
“Now I'm by myself, probably haven't received a Valentine's card in years. I personally received a Valentine's card this year, and I've got to tell you that personally, I … remember, almost coming to tears. It was so thoughtful and it brought back all kinds of warm fuzzy memories and of days gone by. And so it was really special this year, and then to have received a card myself, you know, was overwhelming,” Wodtke said.
Creekside Place Memory Care staff said the response from residents was immediate and heartfelt.
“The outpouring of love from our community this Valentine’s Day was truly amazing. Each handmade card and thoughtful gift reminded our residents how deeply they are cared for,” Rebecca Monen, community relations manager for Creekside Place Memory Care, wrote in a statement. “This became one of the most meaningful and memorable Valentine’s Days at Creekside Place Memory Care.”
At Mallard Landing Assisted Living, residents and staff shared a similar message of gratitude in a statement to BGSC.
“On behalf of everyone in our community, thank you for the wonderful Valentine’s Day cards,” the statement read. “For many of our residents, receiving your cards was a touching reminder that they are remembered and valued. The smiles, laughter, and heartfelt conversations sparked by your kindness meant more than words can express. Your compassion truly made a difference.”
Organizers say the overwhelming response has already secured the event’s future. Plans are underway to bring it back next year, with ideas to expand the effort and involve even more community partners.
“Yes, we had members of our board reaching out to us before Valentine's Day, after we announced what we were going to try to do, and they've already come up with some scathingly brilliant ideas to expand it and to work with it,” Lindberg said.
