Four years ago, seniors across the country were in the midst of a bleak winter. With the COVID-19 pandemic nearing an initial peak in daily cases and hospitalizations, many retirees were staying inside and away from others, including friends and loved ones.

To brighten the outlook in the early months of 2021, local Donna Price had an idea: she would create and distribute handmade Valentines Day cards to seniors as a gesture of kindness. 

“Even if they couldn't have visitors, they could know that people were still thinking about them,” Price explained. 

Price donned a mask and visited Sandpoint Senior Center to pitch the idea to staff. They told her that for every community member to receive a card, she would need to make 250 valentines. 

“I hand-embroider all my cards,” Price said. “There was no way in a month's time I could get that many done.” 

Undeterred, Price spread the word through her social network, shared the initiative with local media outlets and distributed heart-shaped baskets to Sandpoint’s local businesses to act as drop-off points for contributors in the community. 

By the time Feb. 14 arrived, Price had collected and delivered more than 900 cards and launched the first iteration of what would go on to become one of the area’s newest and most beloved traditions. 

In the years since, Price has increased the project’s size and scope to include more areas of Bonner County and a greater part of the community. Price now distributes about two dozen baskets to stores in Sandpoint, Ponderay, Sagle, Priest River and Cocolalla in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day and offers cards to seniors at community centers, assisted-living facilities and even at home through in-home care professionals. 

On top of individual contributions, Price often receives cards from local students and organizations like Panhandle Special Needs. One year, she received more than 400 valentines from Sandpoint High School alone, which Price said demonstrates the character of area students. 

“Sometimes people seem to look down on our teenagers because they don't think they're involved in the community,” Price said. “These kids are a lot more involved in this community than I think we give them credit for.” 

Price said she welcomes handmade and store bought cards alike, and just asks contributors to leave envelopes unsealed to allow staff at assisted living facilities to make sure the contents are safe for residents. 

“Nothing gets turned away,” Price said. “We'll take anything people give us, and we'll find a home for it.” 

Even though the pandemic has subsided and seniors are no longer as isolated as they were in 2021, Price said the benefit the project brings to donors and recipients each year has encouraged her to continue the initiative. 

“We're pulling people from all walks of life in this community together,” she said. 

Additionally, Price sees valentines as a tool to build bridges between the area’s growing population of out-of-state retirees and those with generational roots. Price herself is a transplant to Bonner County; she hopes to erase any discontent existing between the groups. 

“I’m just trying to bond these groups,” she said. “We're all in this community together.” 

Over the past four years, senior care professionals and other locals have reached out to Price to help manage the growing project. Price said she often receives help getting the cards into the hands of seniors, but that she still performs the days-long processes of distributing baskets, collecting cards and sorting the messages herself. 

“As long as people want to continue, I’ll continue as long as I’m able to,” she said. 

Price said that the effect even a simple card can have on a senior is profound, and that they’re always eager to share their appreciation for the token of empathy they received. 

“We know the gratitude is there,” Price said. “Just knowing that you can bring a smile, even if it's just short term ... that's what melts me.” 

Cards will be collected until Feb. 7; for more information or to get involved, contact Donna Price at iamprob@gmail.com.