This Valentines Day, Show Your Appreciation for A Veteran

Here's a way to show appreciation for Long Island's veterans: the annual Valentine's for Vets program.

Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel is spearheading the effort in her district, including Port Washington. 

“As a member of the Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I look forward to your participation in continuing to make this program an overwhelming success,” Shimel said, in a press release.

This initiative has taken place for the past five years. It's a program where both public and parochial schools, as well as businesses, libraries, and private citizens in the community, donate personal care items, outerwear and electronics for the Valentines for Vets Program.

Each year, Schimel delivers the handmade valentines and donated items to the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook and the Northport VA Medical Center. In 2012, she and her staff delivered two truckloads of donations.

To participate, drop off items by Friday, Feb. 8, to Schimel’s District Office at 45 North Station Plaza, Suite 203, in Great Neck. Those with questions are asked to call (516) 482-6966.

All items must be new. Suggested donations include handmade valentines, tooth brushes, tooth paste, denture adhesive, shampoo, deodorant, hair brushes, non-slip socks, winter hats, gloves, scarves, stamps, patriotic caps or t-shirts, compact discs, scratch-off lottery tickets, iTunes gift cards, wheel chair cup holders, note cards, phone cards, hand-held computer games, electric razors, clock radio/cassette players, walkmans, terry cloth robes, winter coats, universal remotes, DVDs, portable CD players, ear phones, electric toothbrushes, sweatpants, and sweatshirts.