'A day about love:' Mount Pleasant seniors feel Valentine's Day love thanks to handwritten cards from students

 

MOUNT PLEASANT, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Roses are red, violets are blue, and if you like Valentine's Day cards, this next story is for you!

On Friday, Feb. 14, dozens of seniors at the Fountain Hills Apartments living community were surprised with handwritten cards from local students.

Some had animals with funny sayings, while others featured typical holiday drawings like hearts and flowers.

It's the second year in a row that Senior Helpers, a local organization, has worked to gather the cards. Last year, they received around 600.

This year, that number nearly doubled.

“I think seniors are often forgotten in that, and if there’s any way that you can give back to those who have given so much to their community, it’s really important," said owner Jennie Payes. “It’s a day about love, and most people think love is just your significant other, but love is so much bigger and so much more than that.”

Payes and her team also worked to hand out small red hearts, frosted sugar cookies, and boxes of chocolate as a way to sweeten up the surprise.

"We have so much fun," said Robin Benson with Senior Helpers. "It's not like a job. This isn't a job to any of us."

In the future, Payes said she hopes to continue expanding the event so even more seniors can feel the love.

"It's one of my favorite days of the year," Payes said.