San Gabriel Valley : BE MY VALENTINE
Donning their warmest smiles and carrying armloads of dolls and carnation boutonnieres, a dozen Rosemead children asked 150 senior citizens to be their Valentines.
As one of its community service projects, the Temple City Sheriff’s Youth Athletic League declared Wednesday “Senior Citizen Appreciation Day.” A group of 6- to 12-year-old members paid a loving visit to the San Gabriel Convalescent Hospital in South San Gabriel.
The residents “love to have kids come in because they remember their own kids when they were that age,” said Renee Valera, the hospital’s activities director. “It brings a smile.”
To maintain a semblance of order, not all 50 members of the children’s community service group could attend the holiday trip, said Deputy Jesus Anguiano. But those who couldn’t come may get another chance: The league hopes to make the convalescent home visit an annual event.
Formed a year ago, the group helps get at-risk and other children involved in positive activities, and this visit fits perfectly with the league’s agenda, Anguiano said. . . .
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