Valentines By Kids, a Peruvian Youth endeavor!
New Jersey.- By Victor Deus
What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a regional effort reaching tens of thousands of people each year.
Valentines By Kids, a nonprofit founded by teenager Patrick Kaufmann is marking a major milestone this Valentine’s Day with its first collaboration with Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital. The partnership has helped make this the organization’s largest year to date. More than 250 schools, clubs, and Girl Scout troops are participating, representing more than 55,000 children who are creating handmade Valentine’s cards for the facilities and the clients of the local nonprofit Food & Friends.
The group’s motto, “made by hand, felt by hearts,” reflects the heart of the project. Children of all ages create cards filled with drawings, jokes, and personal messages. The cards are delivered to hospitals, hospices, long-term care and other facilities, where they are distributed to patients, residents, and staff who may be spending Valentine’s Day away from family and friends.
While Valentines By Kids has received media attention in previous years, organizers say its continued growth has been driven largely by word of mouth among educators, families, and youth leaders who see value in teaching compassion and empanthy through hands-on service. Each card represents a small but meaningful connection — a reminder that someone is thinking of them.
This year’s partnership with Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital represents a significant step forward. Troops across the Washington metropolitan area incorporated card-making into meetings and service projects, giving girls a practical way to engage in community service. Leaders say the collaboration aligns closely with the Girl Scouts’ mission of building character, confidence, and civic responsibility.
Kaufmann’s Peruvian heritage also shapes an important element of the program. Some card recipients are Spanish speakers, offering children an opportunity to write messages in Spanish. For students learning the language, it provides real-world practice; for bilingual children, it offers a chance to take pride in their heritage. Hospital staff report that receiving a card in a patient’s native language can be especially meaningful.
The impact extends beyond the recipients. Troop leaders and teachers say many children continue discussing the project after it ends, asking questions about hospitals, recovery, and how small gestures can make a difference in someone’s life. In that way, the program is as educational for the children who participate as it is uplifting for those who receive the cards.
Kaufmann, a senior at the Washington International School, plans to attend Boston College this fall. As he prepares for that transition, he hopes Valentines By Kids will continue to grow while staying true to its original purpose. “Sometimes,” he says, “all it takes to brighten someone’s day is a handmade card.”
