Last week students from the Upper School Community Engagement Honors Society at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences completed a student-led Valentine’s Day card initiative benefiting residents at Santa Monica Home & Care and Brookdale Ocean House.
The project provided personalized Valentine’s cards to 40 assisted-living residents, with more than 60 cards created through a combination of community submissions and student participation. Santa Monica residents contributed heartfelt messages through an online form, which students carefully transcribed into handwritten cards during a dedicated Honors Society meeting.
In addition, approximately 15 student volunteers participated in an on-campus card-making event held during lunch, where upper school students gathered to create additional handmade messages. The weeklong effort culminated in Valentine’s Day deliveries to both facilities.
Student organizers extend their sincere thanks to the Santa Monica community members who took the time to submit messages. Their participation made it possible to ensure that every resident received a personal note, demonstrating how small acts of kindness from across the city can come together to create a meaningful impact.
Staff members at the homes expressed strong appreciation for the gesture, noting that residents were deeply touched by the personalized notes and holiday treats included with each card. The initiative aimed to foster intergenerational connection and remind seniors that they remain valued members of the local community.
Organized entirely by student leaders, the project demonstrated how thoughtful planning and community collaboration can transform simple gestures into moments of genuine connection.
— Submitted by Athens Teitelbaum