“At Its Heart, This Program Is About Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of the Men and Women Who Answered Our Nation’s Call to Service.”
A Community-Wide Effort to Thank Those Who Served
BRADENTON, Fla. – Congressman Vern Buchanan hosted his annual Valentines for Veterans program, partnering with local schools and youth organizations across Manatee and Hillsborough counties to create handmade Valentine cards for veterans living throughout Florida’s 16th Congressional District.
Florida’s 16th District is home to more than 64,000 veterans. The goal of the program is to reach as many of them as possible with a Valentine card to ensure they know just how appreciative the community is for their service and sacrifice.
“Valentines for Veterans continues to grow each year,” said Buchanan. “We nearly doubled the number of cards students created compared to last year and welcomed six new schools to the effort. At its heart, this program is about honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women who answered our nation’s call to service. Seeing the smiles on veterans’ faces when they receive a card is exactly why I started it. I am especially proud of our young students, who put so much thought and creativity into their valentines. Their artwork reflects the very best of our community.”
This year, 31 schools and youth organizations participated, creating 6,844 Valentine cards—nearly doubling last year’s total. The congressman’s office thanks the School District of Manatee County and the Hillsborough County School District for their continued support.
Participating schools and organizations include:
- Alafia Elementary School
- Ballard Elementary School
- Barbara Harvey K-8 at Copperstone
- Bayshore Elementary School
- Blackburn Elementary School
- Boyette Springs Elementary School
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County
- Corr Elementary School
- Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy
- Electa Lee Middle School
- FishHawk Creek Elementary School
- Gene Witt Elementary School
- Gibsonton Elementary School
- Haile Middle School
- Manatee High School
- McNeal Elementary School
- Miller Elementary School
- Mills Elementary School
- Nelson Elementary School
- Palm View K-8 School
- Palma Sola Elementary School
- Palmetto High School
- Prine Elementary School
- Ruskin Elementary School
- Soar In 4 Lab
- Stewart Elementary School
- Summerfield Elementary School
- Sumner High School
- Tara Elementary School
- Warren Hope Dawson Elementary School
- Willis Elementary School
Valentines were distributed to veterans throughout the district beginning in late January through a boots-on-the-ground effort by the Congressman and his district team.
For more information about the Valentines for Veterans program or other congressional events, please contact Cara Misiewicz at Cara.Misiewicz@mail.house.gov.
Photos from this year’s program are available HERE.
