'Pocket Hugs' Offer Words Of Encouragement To Veterans On Valentine's Day

CHICAGO — During the 11th annual Valentines for Vets Smith Village resident Percenia Hill and St. Cajetan seventh grader Marnie Esposito talked about how to express empathy for veterans with visible and/or invisible wounds. Then they composed notes on “pocket hugs” to veterans who currently benefit from inpatient and outpatient healthcare programs provided by the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center.

More than 40 Smith Village residents and St. Cajetan student council members teamed up to create dozens of “pocket hugs” that included a personal message of encouragement to a veteran handwritten on a card that was topped with a small heart made by The Quilter’s Trunk and a ribbon.

According to Modie Lavin, USMC Gold Star mother and senior veteran outreach coordinator for the Road Home Program, “

“Every year, our staff looks forward to the arrival of Valentines created by St. Cajetan students and Smith Village residents,” said USMC Gold Star mother and senior veteran outreach coordiator for the Road Home Program. “It’s our privilege to give these expressions of care and compassion to someone who has paid a high price for serving our country. We value the thoughtfulness of the students and residents because every year they create a new way to say, ‘we care.’”

Lavin ‘s 24-year-old son, Brother Rice graduate and USMC Lance Corporal Conner Lowry, was killed in combat in Afghanistan on March 1, 2012.

“Some veterans immediately put the heart on their pocket hug into their pocket. Others displayed the card with the heart and message,” Laving said. “Smith Village residents and St. Cajetan students truly uplifted the veterans’ spirit.”

Ald, Matt O’Shea (19th) opened the intergenerational project.

“Our world today definitely can use a lot more empathy,” O’Shea said. “Our annual collaboration is one of the best ways our neighborhood demonstrates how it cares for people who need encouragement.”