Valentines for Veterans

Overview

Congressman Vern Buchanan established the Valentines for Veterans program in 2024 to recognize and honor local veterans in Florida’s 16th District while encouraging local students to support our veterans. Each year, Congressman Buchanan’s staff work with local elementary, middle and high schools as well as youth organizations to make valentine cards to reach as many veterans in the District as possible. Florida’s 16th District is home to over 64,000 veterans.

In Congress, Congressman Buchanan has worked to expand access to care and benefits for those who have worn the uniform. He has introduced legislation to expand access to nutritional food for our veterans, address critical gaps in mental health care for veterans and review the deaths of all veterans treated by the VA who died by suicide or from a drug overdose.

VALENTINE CARD SUBMISSIONS: All educators and youth leaders in Florida’s 16th District are invited to participate in this program. Any educator or youth leader interested in having their students participate in this program should contact Cara Misiewicz at 941-951-6643 or Cara.Misiewicz@mail.house.gov.

Completed valentines can either be dropped off to one of Congressman Buchanan’s district offices in Bradenton or Brandon or a staff member can schedule a school pick up location. Congressman Buchanan’s office will then distribute the cards to local veterans throughout Manatee and Hillsborough Counties.

The deadline for valentine cards to be dropped off or picked up is January 9, 2026.

VETERAN NOMINATIONS: If you are a veteran, a veteran’s family member or a leader of a veterans organization in Florida’s 16th District who would like to receive valentine cards, please submit your nomination(s) online here.