My Dear Valentines,

Later today 406 gift bags will be delivered to our Valentines at 14 shelters in NYC, Yonkers, and the Berkshires!
How can I adequately thank each of you for making this the most abundant year yet?!

The outpouring of your generosity made it possible to add over 100 bags at four more shelters to our project! Check out what went into bags!

Each person receiving a gift bag is living in temporary emergency housing as a result of intimate partner violence or trafficking. Many arrive at the shelter with a single bag. Our gifts don't address the violence that necessitate our valentines seeking refuge but we hope it gives a little boost along the journey of rebuilding their lives. Putting on lipstick has more to do with how it makes you feel than how it looks - some days that little bit of extra comfort or confidence can make all the difference. Thank you for being that difference. 

This project has taught me so much about community, trust, and love. This past summer my mom, Val, who contributed countless hours, scores of little treasures to the project, and a lot of the inspiration, passed away. Another community member, who was integrally involved in transitioning this project from 60 bags for a couple of shelters assembled in my Brooklyn apartment, to several hundred gift bags at a donated space, made a major life change. I was a little apprehensive about doing this without them - what a joy that you all rushed in to continue their work so seamlessly! In year marked by a lot of letting go it was especially touching to get swept up by your radical generosity.

At a time when things can feel so divided I am touched by how wildly diverse the participation in this project is. Hundreds of people of all ages, creeds, and life circumstances, many of whom who might not imagine they had anything in common with each other, collaborated to put love out into the world. You really are my heroes.      

WHAT’S NEXT? Before we get ahead of ourselves first focus on today! Make time to give & receive love in abundance on Valentine’s Day!
Tomorrow & for the next 11 months we’ll be chipping away at the Valentine Community Project. I just learned of a shelter in Brooklyn specializing in survivors of domestic abuse with disabilities. Adding this shelter brings our anticipated number of gift bags Valentine’s day 2021 to approximately 475 - but we’ll see what comes in and give what we can. More than we want to expand the effort we want to make loving gifts for the people we can based on what comes in. Please continue to keep our valentines & all victims of violence in your prayers. Check out the ways you can participate in Valentine’s Day 2021. If you would like to make Valentine’s day cards this weekend with your family, friends, or students for next year that’s wonderful. If you meant to send stuff in but missed the deadline, no worries! We are VERY happy to receive your donations year round! If you find a bunch of scarves, hand bags or jewelry or any “lady gifts” you’d like to share with a neighbor while you are doing spring cleaning, you can send them to us then at this address.

ROSE RUESING
Valentine Community Project
4514 245th Street
Douglaston, NY 11362

I cannot thank you enough for making this Valentine's day so sweet! I hope you are blindsided by love today too!

Peace,
Emily Valentine Sottile