Student Ambassador, Alexis Davis, delivers roses to seniors at Creekside Oaks Retirement Community in Folsom. Photo courtesy of Norcal Gift From The Heart

GOLD RIVER, CA (MPG) – Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation is preparing for its largest Valentine’s Day Drive yet, with more than 3,500 handmade Valentines and an anticipated 1,500 toys and teen items collected for children’s hospitals across the country.

Founded in 2024 by Aislynne Hartman, a senior at Oak Ridge High School, and Sophia Alonso, a junior at Ponderosa High School, Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation was created to encourage youth-led philanthropy while focusing on children and teens facing medical challenges. What began as a small local effort has grown into a multi-county initiative involving dozens of schools and over 3,000 student volunteers working together to spread kindness.

“This year’s response has been amazing,” said co-founder Aislynne Hartman. “Seeing thousands of handmade cards filled with encouraging messages from students of all ages reminds us how powerful simple acts of kindness can be.”

This will be the third year Sophia Alonso and Aisynne Hartman deliver toys and teen items to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Sacramento. Photo courtesy of Norcal Gift From The Heart

Many of the Valentines and donated items will be delivered to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Sacramento, but due to the overwhelming number of cards collected this year, the foundation will also send overflow Valentines to Marshall Hospital in El Dorado County and Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, in Oklahoma, extending the impact of the drive beyond California.

In addition to supporting pediatric patients, Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation is expanding its mission again this year through an intergenerational giving initiative. In partnership with AARP and Wish of a Lifetime, the foundation will help deliver more than 500 roses to senior centers across Sacramento and El Dorado Counties, ensuring older adults also feel remembered and valued on Valentine’s Day. The initiative connects student volunteers with community elders and reinforces the importance of compassion across generations.

Co-founder Sophia Alonso said, “We never want cards to go to waste. Knowing that we are supporting children and seniors makes all the hard work worth it.”

The foundation provides all the necessary cardmaking supplies to schools in the community as part of their Valentine Drive. Photo courtesy of Norcal Gift From The Heart

Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation accepts donations and volunteers year-round. For more information or to get involved, visit Norcalgiftfromtheheart.org or follow Norcal Gift From the Heart Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.