Most people use Valentine's Day as an excuse to send dozens of roses with hand-made cards, eat heart-shaped candy, and gush over their significant others. However, Kelsey Mech, a sophomore accounting major and RA of the fourth floor in building six of Richmond, wanted to find a more unique way to spread her love.
From the Spaulding, Wilkeson, and Richmond hallways, bright colors and bubbly students were seen and heard exploring their artistic skills, cutting and pasting colorful paper and glitter hearts. In the Fillmore lounge connecting the three dorms, Mech gathered a group of warmhearted students to make cards for the Women's and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.
The Women's and Children's Hospital is located on 219 Bryant St. in Buffalo, N.Y. The hospital believes that "children are not just small adults," so it provides children with the special attention, which they need, unlike hospitals that do not specialize in pediatrics.
The hospital hosts fun events for the children that it takes care of such as a KISS Cares for Kids Radiothon, which airs live on radio stations WKSE-FM and KISS 98.5. Also, the hospital formed a partnership with Panera Bread and had a battle of the stars hockey game.
Mech realized that there are many underprivileged people in the world and wanted to find a way to give back to her community, especially on the one day each year where love is in the air.
"My boyfriend and I decided that instead of exchanging gifts [for Valentines Day], we'd go to the Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo," Mech said.
Mech's goal was to create 50 cards. However, she was unsure if many people would show up because her only source of promotion was hanging up posters around the dorms, which people always rip down.
Over 20 people showed up to the event and Mech ended up with over 50 cards in her hands. She and her boyfriend are going to spend time in the hospital handing out cards to over 50 sick women and children.
Though Mech will not be resuming her RA position next year, she hopes that someone else will be able to do the same thing she did and host an activity to make cards for those who are unable to celebrate Valentine's Day with their loved ones.
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