July 01, 2025
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Wilcox launches 2nd annual ‘Valentines for Seniors’ card drive

State senator sets 4,000-card goal to brighten day for district seniors

By Lake County Journal staff report
State. Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-McHenry, speaks to attendees during a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, June 16, 2021 for a new Mercyhealth hospital at the intersection of Three Oaks Road and Route 31 in Crystal Lake.

Mercyhealth groundbreaking In this file photo, state. Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-McHenry, speaks to attendees during a groundbreaking ceremony on, June 16, 2021, for a new Mercyhealth hospital at the intersection of Three Oaks Road and Route 31 in Crystal Lake. (Matthew Apgar)

McHENRY – State Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-McHenry, is launching his second annual Valentines for Seniors card drive.

To brighten the days of seniors and make sure they know they are a valued part of the community, Wilcox is asking students, church groups, Scouting organizations and other groups to create homemade cards that will be delivered to assisted living centers, nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the 32nd Senate District.

“Last year’s response to this project was phenomenal. My office collected and distributed more than 2,500 cards,” Wilcox said in a news release. “The seniors were all smiles as my staff and I delivered large bags of cards. My goal this year is to collect over 4,000 cards.”

Cards, poems and other well wishes will be collected through Feb. 7 at Wilcox’s McHenry office, 5400 W. Elm St., Suite 103. Those dropping off cards in person can place them in the valentine mailbox outside of the office between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cards also can be mailed.

“Last year we were able to bring smiles to seniors at almost two dozen assisted living centers and nursing homes,” Wilcox said. “My hope is that we get an even greater response this year and we all do our part to bring some joy to seniors.”

In 2021, Senate Republicans collected and delivered more than 45,000 valentines through the statewide Valentines for Seniors program, according to the release.