Michael Hillegas DAR chapter collects 'Valentines for Heroes': Club's project delivers more than 700 valentines to congressman's drive

SALINE COUNTY - In response to U.S. Rep. John Shimkus' final call for "Valentines for Heroes," Michael Hillegas Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Veteran's Chairman, Shelia Albright, once again moved into action and planned a project for the chapter.

Valentines were collected from several groups in southern Illinois. First- through fifth-graders from Booth Elementary School at Enfield and second- and third-graders at Norris City, as well as individual youths ranging from age 5 to a 14-year-old teenager, participated in the project.

The teen then went out went out to her friends and collected more valentines.

The Norris City Library scheduled a program and created handmade valentines.

The Michael Hillegas Chapter and the County Friends Homemakers also sent valentines.

Well more than 700 valentines were delivered to the congressman's Harrisburg office, just in time for delivery to local VA hospitals, the VA nursing home in Vienna and veterans in area nursing homes throughout southern Illinois.