Community spreads love at VA for Valentine's Day

Visitors spread Valentine cheer to vets for entire week
Social activities room undergoes renovation
The Commercial-News
BY MARY WICOFF
February 15, 2014

DANVILLE — Valentine’s Day stretched throughout the week for men and women at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System.

In the past, visitors have congregated on one day to distribute hand-made cards to the veterans. It was a bit overwhelming for the veterans when groups of visitors came into the wards, said Bob Sprouls, chief of recreational therapy and acting chief of voluntary services.

By spreading the visitors out throughout the week, he said, “They’re able to go around and spend more time with the veterans. It worked out really nice.”

Another reason for the change is that the social activities room — where the visitors gathered before making their rounds — is unavailable while it’s being renovated.

Also, the VA is still under a flu advisory, and people under 18 are not allowed to visit. That ruled out school groups coming in, Sprouls said.

Between 30 and 40 visitors came in throughout the week, designated VA National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.
read more here