HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY DEAR HEARTS!

2022 604 gift bags to those fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking at:

  • 8 Safe Horizon Shelters shelters offering temporary housing in all 5 NYC boroughs (312)

  • 2 Sanctuary for Families Shelters in NYC (75)

  • 2 Barrier Free Living Shelters specifically or people with disabilities (75)

  • Elizabeth Freeman Shelter in Pittsfield (16)

  • My sister’s Place Shelter in Yonkers (16)

AND we added (10) gift bags to girls transitioning out of foster care living at Good Shepherd house in conjunction with a workshop about healthy relationships.

Wishing you a day brimming with love and delight!

In keeping with the principle that love begets love, this year we gave the most yet - 604 gift bags to residents of shelters for people fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking. Thank you for all the love you put into the world!

CHECK OUT THE 2022 GIFTS HERE

I hope seeing these beautiful gifts brings you a slice of the joy they brought me.

For children Valentine’s Day is a community holiday: cards are given to and received from kids you like and ones you don’t. At some point Valentine’s Day takes a sharp turn towards romantic love. Loneliness and painful experiences in relationships can make a festival of love sting. I am a firm believer community is the greatest balm. Since 2013 the Valentine Community has celebrated St. Valentine’s Day by making gifts for survivors of domestic abuse and trafficking living in emergency housing. This truly is a stone soup kind of project! I always end up smitten with the diverse and dynamic community that opens its heart to make it all happen, and just bursting with joy to get to pay some love forward. The gifts you made possible with your donations of stuff, money, time, and prayers make my heart glow!

However you mark this day I hope you make a point of giving and receiving love in abundance! 

With Much Love,
Emily Valentine Sottile

P.S. Collection for Valentine’s Day 2023 starts February 14, 2022. We can accept donations year ‘round and would love to get donations in over the summer to be able to a jump start on sorting and packing. Check out the PARTICIPATE page to learn how to get involved.