UA Little Rock Students Spread Love with Handmade Valentines for Friends and Youth
UA Little Rock students came together on Feb. 13 to craft heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards at a special Valentine’s Card Creation Station hosted by the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) Fletcher Library.
Nearly 40 people participated in the event, held on the first floor of Ottenheimer Library, which provided refreshments. Participants made personalized cards for their friends and loved ones while also creating messages of encouragement for teens supported by Immerse Arkansas, a nonprofit established in 2008 as a response to the needs and obstacles of kids aging out of foster care.
“We are out here with a card-making station where students can make Valentine’s Day cards and also raise awareness that people can sign up for a CALS library card, and that our events are free,” said Megan Trout, an adult programmer with Fletcher Library. “We like to take the opportunity to get out and hang out with people in the community.”
The event drew students looking to create something special for their loved ones. Lillian Scott, a counseling student at UA Little Rock, made a card for her sister’s birthday, which falls on Valentine’s Day.
“They offer access to creative materials, and I like the fact that you have all these great items to use on your cards,” Scott said.
Others took the opportunity to celebrate friendships and enjoy a creative break from their studies. Madison Giles, a freshman biology major, crafted Valentines for her little sister, boyfriend, and close friend. She convinced her friend Jahzeel Lopez, a freshman radiology major, to join in the fun.
“I’m making Valentines for my friend because I asked her to be my friend Valentine,” Lopez said, noting that Feb. 13 is also known as Galentine’s Day, a holiday that celebrates women’s friendship. “I also like making things and like arts and crafts. I love to do this as a hobby.”
Beyond personal messages, the event had a larger purpose. Students created extra cards to donate to Immerse Arkansas.
“Any extra Valentines we have we will take to Immerse Arkansas,” said Chloe Kilcrease, a community resource specialist at CALS. “The big population I work with as a community resource specialist is the unsheltered population. I thought it would be fun to give some extra love to the youth by bringing them Valentines.”
Scott was among those who made a card for young people at Immerse Arkansas, recognizing the impact of small acts of kindness.
“I think it’s always important to help out others who don’t have access to everything,” she said. “I think they will appreciate the little things like a Valentine’s Day card.”