2020 PROJECT
My Dear Valentines,
I hope this finds you well and warm!
Among the many things I am thankful for daily is a safe & loving environment. This blessing is the fruit of a confluence of factors including luck, choices & the active involvement of communities who have loved, rooted for & protected me. It is hard to overstate the impact of the last factor on the first two.
2020 is the 8th year a little group of anonymous co-hearts have pooled resources for a stone soup infusion of love for survivors of domestic abuse living in temporary housing at NYC Safe Horizon shelters. Lots of people don't like Valentine's day. I imagine being in a shelter would make this day particularly rough. Our goal is to make our Valentines at the shelters know there are people rooting for them & believing they are deserving of love. We do this by assembling little bags of necessities & small luxuries for Valentines's Day. All information about this effort can be found at valentinecommunity.com.
See photos of previous years' bags to get a feel for the project. Last year we made up 286 bags which were distributed to all eight Safe Horizon operated shelters in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island & the Bronx.
No worries AT ALL if this project isn't for you, but if it resonates here's how to participate:
Re-gift "lady gifts": Lovely things you don't use (jewelry, manicure sets, journals, unused cosmetics & perfume, sunglasses, hand bags, scarves...) small items that could make someone who had to leave her possessions behind feel she has something special. Check your closets, it's a great way to lighten your load by sharing things you won't miss. Please do NOT send clothes or shoes (bring these to Dress for Success or your local clothing drops).
Send money: We'd rather you send money than spend money. We only buy a few things & we try to support good works. Most donations range $25 - $100 but anything is greatly appreciated. Send donations via paypal/venmo/pop money emilysottile@gmail.com (we don’t use a donation button on the website because they take a cut & we want ALL of the donation to go to the gifts for the ladies).
Pray: The Valentine Community is extremely diverse in every sense. It is comprised of people from all different kinds of traditions & philosophies, some who pray & some who don’t. If you are the praying sort of Valentine, we ask you to include our Valentines in your intentions. Please pray for: The safety, strength, & success for our valentines at the shelters; that we are able to recognize opportunities to assist our communities; and for the conversion of heart of all those who seek power by taking it from others.
Send $10 Target or drug store gift cards: Let the ladies choose the things they need
Secure donations of / make 30 - 300 of the same thing: If you have access to a bunch of something to add, contact me at 954.604.1880 or emilysottile@gmail.com so we can make a plan. In the past a friend gave dozens of stunning earrings & necklaces from her shop; an editor for a magazine sent tons of cosmetic samples; a dentist sent 30 chapsticks; teachers have students make cards; I collect hotel toiletries; church ladies made up little packets of tea bags & chocolates.
Pass the word on: If you know someone who might like to participate in this please pass this message on or refer them to valentinecommunity.com
Please send all contributions by January 14th Keep in mind anything you send must be small. It is extremely helpful to email me at emilysottile@gmail.com to let me know how you plan to participate. Send all physical items to:
ROSE RUESING
Valentine Project
45-14 245th Street (if the dash gives you trouble try using 4514 245th street)
Douglaston, NY 11362
If you need a number for the package you can use 954.604.1880
We're not a formal organization, just a group of friends so there's no tax break - just a feeling we like better than observing Valentine’s Day with candy & crowded restaurants. 100% of money & items contributed for the valentines is donated to safe horizon in the form of gifts. For more information visit check out the Welcome & FAQ pages on valentinecommunity.com
We greatly appreciate any help but please don't feel obliged in any way. Thanks for reading to the end of a marathon message! If you've already sent stuff in, Thank you!
Peace,
Emily Valentine Sottile
emilysottile@gmail.com
954.604.1880