The Valentine Project: A Love Story

The Valentine Project: A Love Story

 

by Michaela Margida, Co-founder | The Valentine Project

 

Hello, Friend!

Welcome, and thank you for visiting The Valentine Project website. I’m Michaela, the Co-founder of The Valentine Project. I wanted to take a moment to tell you a bit about how my brother Greg and I started The Valentine Project, and what we have learned along the way. Thank you for taking the time to read our story!

We started The Valentine Project in response to our experiences of working with children with cancer and their siblings. Many patients and siblings don’t look forward to Valentine’s Day because of what they’re going through. Cancer can be lonely for patients and siblings alike, and Valentine’s Day, a day that focuses on love, often highlights that loneliness. Because of the physical, emotional, and cognitive side effects of cancer treatment, not to mention the absences from school that come along with a serious medical diagnosis, these children may struggle to fit in with their peers. Gradually, we learned that many of the social challenges that children with cancer face affect all children with chronic illnesses and their families; so, we adjusted our mission to be all-inclusive for children with cancer, children with chronic illnesses, and their families.

In 2017, after reflecting on our experiences working with so many kind-hearted volunteers year after year, and even seeing many recipients turn right around and volunteer to make packages with us, we made the decision to specifically incorporate “cultivating compassion” into our mission.

The Valentine Project brings out the best in everyone who participates, and we are so inspired by the love and kindness our volunteers put into all they do! Together, we can make the world a kinder place, where all people feel loved and valued. At The Valentine Project, our goal is for all children whose lives are affected by cancer or a chronic illness to feel special and loved each Valentine’s Day, and to cultivate compassion year-round through offering volunteer opportunities that bring out the love and kindness in us all.

We hope you’ll join us in supporting these deserving families. We’re true believers that one box filled with love can change someone’s life, and that small acts of kindness add up to make a big difference in the world.

Love,

Michaela Margida
Co-founder, The Valentine Project[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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