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Photo: Department of Resilience and Community Services
Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program invites young people to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards as part of the annual Love Letters campaign. The cards will then be included in meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels recipients and shared with other senior programs to help lift the spirits of older adults in our community.
Now in its fifth year, Love Letters was introduced through a partnership with DoSomething.org, a global non-profit organization which encourages young people to make a positive change, and Meals on Wheels America. Because of its enormous popularity — both with youth and seniors — staff members with the Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program remain committed to carrying on this tradition.
“Each year, these handmade cards brighten the lives of hundreds of seniors in our community,” said Faith Aeilts, program manager of Senior Services, a division of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. “We are grateful to the numerous individuals, schools, scout troops and other youth service providers who have contributed cards in previous years and hope we can once again count on an outstanding response.”
“The students at the J. Graham Brown School have participated in this wonderful outreach with Louisville Metro Meals on Wheels for the past few years”, stated Stacey Powell, staff member with the Brown School who champions the Love Letters campaign. “Our students are wonderful, caring, and compassionate. In the past we have submitted hundreds of beautiful handcrafted cards! We are excited to participating again and our students are always eager to have their cards delivered. We hope they bring smiles to the recipients.”
This year’s goal is to deliver at least one card to the more than 400 Meals on Wheels recipients and to also share with the hundreds of participants at one of the 22 congregate meal sites for more active seniors.
To donate cards to the local Meals on Wheels program, feel free to drop off any weekday by Feb. 9 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 701 W. Ormsby Ave. Suite 201. Contact Tiffany Woodson, Volunteer Coordinator for the Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program at 574-6420 or Tiffany.Woodson@louisvilleky.gov with any questions.
The Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program is funded, in part, under a contract with KIPDA and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Cabinet for Health and Family Services with funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more about eligibility or how to volunteer, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/senior-nutrition-program or call 502/574-6325.
Romantic Valentine evenings await on February 13 and 14 at Jefferson Memorial Forest. For only $35, couples will be treated to a romantic candle-lit hike that ends with a view of Louisville’s lights from the scenic Manor House, where couples will enjoy hot beverages, rich hors d’ouvres and desserts, and the cozy warmth of a hearth.
“The natural beauty of Jefferson Memorial Forest is a great fit with Valentine’s Day,” said Rebecca Minnick, Program Manager at Jefferson Memorial Forest. “Couples can have a romantic evening by taking a stroll through the woods, then relaxing in front of the fire. We have many couples who have made this part of their Valentine tradition.”
Jefferson Memorial Forest is located near Fairdale, just 15 minutes from downtown Louisville. The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to wind up by 10 p.m. The hike is on flat terrain, but closed-toe shoes with tread are recommended. Couples are also invited to bring flashlights to the hike for added visibility along the trails. Hikes meet in the Horine Reservation main parking lot at 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road, Fairdale KY.
Reservations must be made by Tuesday, February 7th. To register, call (502) 368-5404 or email the Forest at forest@louisvilleky.gov. In case of inclement weather, those registered should call the (502) 368-5404 number for cancellation information.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Attorney General Andy Beshear is warning Kentuckians of the “sweetheart” scam, which reports suggest caused Kentuckians to lose more than $80,000 last year.
A sweetheart scammer typically uses a fake photo and identity to approach a victim through social media or online dating sites and acts as if they are interested in getting to know him or her.
Over time, the scammer works to develop a long-distance, sham relationship with the victim. Once the scammer gains the victim’s trust, they pretend to need emergency funds and asks the victim to wire money, send prepaid gift cards or other hard-to-trace payment methods.
Beshear said the beginning of the year and Valentine’s Day brings about scammers who are looking to exploit those seeking new friendships and relationships.
“We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers – and this is especially true when it comes to helping our friends and family avoid falling victim to a scam,” said Beshear. “I encourage everyone to call or visit with those they care for this month, especially younger or older relatives who may live alone or be lonely, and discuss scams and help them to know the common warning signs.”
Beshear said identifying these red flags could help stop a sweetheart scam, watch for someone who:
- Claims very quickly that they are in love.
- Refuses to meet in person.
- Asks to leave the protections of a legitimate dating or social media site and communicate via email, text or instant messenger.
- Demands the relationship be a secret.
- Provides information that cannot be verified through an independent online search or through trustworthy sources.
- Demands money or gift cards sent overseas.
- Solicits sensitive personal or financial information.
Kentuckians who suspect a scam should contact the Office of the Attorney General at 502-696-5300 and fill out an online complaint form.
One of the critical missions of the Office of the Attorney General is to help Kentucky families and seniors recognize and avoid scams.
Beshear recently issued a scam alert warning Kentuckians of IRS and tax-related identity theft scams.
Kentuckians are urged to stay up to date on new and trending scams by signing up for Scam Alerts. To enroll text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV311 (468311), or enroll online at ag.ky.gov/scams and select text message or email alert.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at a Kentucky State Park this year with your special someone! Many parks are offering events and packages in February to help celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Many of the special events at state parks are scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 10-12. Some of the highlights include: a dinner and dance at Kenlake State Resort Park and General Butler State Resort Park, a cruise at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, a prime rib dinner and dance at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, a murder mystery dinner with costumes at Pine Mountain State Resort Park and special teas at Waveland and White Hall state historic sites on Feb. 14.
State parks provide a great place for a getaway weekend along with excellent food, entertainment, natural beauty and scenery. For a list of events, visit http://parks.ky.gov/valentines-weekend/ For more information about each park, as well as other state park events, visit www.parks.ky.gov
Romantic Valentine evenings await on February 13 and 14 at Jefferson Memorial Forest. For only $35, couples will be treated to a romantic candle-lit hike that ends with a view of Louisville’s lights from the scenic Manor House, where couples will enjoy hot beverages, rich hors d’ouvres and desserts, and the cozy warmth of a hearth.
“The natural beauty of Jefferson Memorial Forest is a great fit with Valentine’s Day,” said Rebecca Minnick, Program Manager at Jefferson Memorial Forest. “Couples can have a romantic evening by taking a stroll through the woods, then relaxing in front of the fire. We have many couples who have made this part of their Valentine tradition.”
Jefferson Memorial Forest is located near Fairdale, just 15 minutes from downtown Louisville. The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to wind up by 10 p.m. The hike is on flat terrain, but closed-toe shoes with tread are recommended. Couples are also invited to bring flashlights to the hike for added visibility along the trails. Hikes meet in the Horine Reservation main parking lot at 12304 Holsclaw Hill Road, Fairdale KY.
To Register
Reservations must be made by Tuesday, February 7th. Call (502) 368-5404 or email the Forest at forest@louisvilleky.gov. In case of inclement weather, those registered should call the 368-5404 number for cancellation information.
Louisville Metro Meals on Wheel’s recipients are set to receive handmade Valentine’s Day cards created by youth volunteers from across the country. DoSomething.org, a global non-profit organization with the goal of motivating young people to make positive change, has teamed up with Meals on Wheels America for the fourth annual Love Letters campaign.
The popular campaign, encouraging young people to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards to lift the spirits of older adults, runs through February 10, 2017 and cards will be included in meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels clients across the country. Young people who sign up at DoSomething.org/loveletters by Jan. 31 and upload a “selfie” photo holding the card(s) they made will be eligible to enter to win a variety of prizes including a $3,000 scholarship.
“The Love Letters campaign has been a tremendous success in our community the last several years. Last year alone we received more than 2,500 Valentine cards from schools, scout troops and other youth service providers,” said Eric Friedlander, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Community Services, the organization which administers the Meals on Wheels program locally. “I hope we can continue to count on the compassionate, committed community response again this year and in future years. These handmade cards bring great joy to the homebound seniors whom we serve.”
The J. Graham Brown School on South Fifth Street is a shining example of a local school which has increased their participation each year.
“ The Brown School students have “knocked it outta the park” the past two years that we have participated in this wonderful outreach with Metro Louisville and Meals on Wheels”, stated Stacey Powell, staff member with the Brown School who champions the Love Letters campaign. “Our students are wonderful, caring, and compassionate. Last year we submitted over 940 handmade cards! We are looking forward to participating again this year and our students are eager to have their cards delivered.”
Since 2014, nearly one million cards were distributed through Meals on Wheels America’s network nationwide, which serves nearly 2.5 million homebound seniors each year. The support of the volunteers and meals this network provides are critical to helping them maintain enough independence to stay in their own homes.
To donate cards to the local Meals on Wheels program, feel free to drop off any weekday before Feb. 10 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 701 W. Ormsby Ave. Suite 201. Be sure to register your support at DoSomething.org/loveletters. Feel free to contact Tiffany Reed, Volunteer Coordinator for the Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program at 574-6420 or Tiffany.Reed@louisvilleky.gov with any questions.