Valentines given to homeless veterans

Valentines For Veterans took place at the Valor Home as a way to honor the sacrifice veterans have made.

Homeless veterans in Lorain need love, too.

Valentines For Veterans took place Feb. 14 at the Valor Home, 221 W. 21st St. in Lorain, as a way to honor the sacrifice veterans have made.

“It was something I started because I feel they deserve our love,” said Leigh Ann Arroyo, an Elyria resident, talking about homeless veterans in the community.

“Without veterans and the sacrifice they have made, we wouldn’t be here.

“They put their lives on the line so we can live the way we do in this country. This is the least we can do.”

Arroyo said the event featured valentines and treats from students at Eastwood Elementary School, 198 E. College St. in Oberlin.

“They made a lot of these valentines,” she said. “They also saved up money, from their allowances, to gives these veterans Subway gift

cards.

“It’s truly incredible when you see kids understanding the magnitude and importance of helping and supporting our veterans.”

Arroyo said the event also featured cookies, candy, health bars and spaghetti.

“We have breakfast and lunch for them here,” she

said. “I felt veterans should have something today.

“People only think about veterans on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Christmas. I want today to be special for them, as well.

“The best thing people can do is show their love to these veterans in the best way they know how. They deserve it,” she said.

Janet Garrett, a candidate for the Ohio’s 4th congressional district, said the treatment of veterans needs to be addressed.

“This is a way to call attention to how veterans are being treated in this country,” Garrett said. “They have been forgotten and cast aside.”

Sheffield Lake City Council-at-Large member Rosa Gee said people should not be quick to judge veterans.

“They may seem quiet and indifferent in public, but they are great people,” Gee said. “I’m glad we had a great donation of valentines I was able to bring from the VFW Post 86 in Sheffield Lake. These people deserve it.”

“It was something I started because I feel they deserve our lover.”

— Leigh Ann Arroyo, an Elyria resident

ZACHARY SRNIS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Janet Garrett hands valentines to veterans at Valor Home in Lorain on Feb. 14

ROSA GEE — SHEFFIELD LAKE COUNCIL-AT-LARGE Lorain Ward 2 Councilman Dennis Flores, left, Elyria resident Leigh Ann Arroyo and Janet Garrett pose together at the Valor Home in Lorain during the Valentines for Veterans event.