South San Francisco Seniors Join Forces with Senator Jerry Hill and California National Guard to Send 750 Valentines To Guardsmen Overseas

Office of State Senator Jerry Hill

News Release

February 14, 2015

South San Francisco Seniors Join Forces with Senator Jerry Hill and California National Guard to Send 750 Valentines To Guardsmen Overseas

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – Hundreds of California National Guardsmen are receiving valentines from the senior citizens of the Magnolia Center, who made it their goal to send a handmade greeting to every member of the Guard deployed overseas on Cupid’s holiday.

Magnolia Center seniors and staff members presented three boxes brimming with 750 valentines to members of the Guard and State Senator Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo/Santa Clara Counties, on February 6 so the greetings could reach mobilized units in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Thanks to you, the citizen-soldiers of California who are far from home know that we are thinking of them and thank them for their service,” Hill told the seniors during their annual celebration of the crafts and outreach project that they began with Hill in 2009.

California National Guard Lt. Col. Darrin Bender also thanked the seniors for their heartfelt messages to the Guardsmen who have been deployed. “Receiving messages and greetings from home means a lot,” he said.

The seniors who visit the center started making valentines in January and topped their record of last year -- 600 handmade greetings – more than a week before the final day of the project, said South San Francisco Recreation Supervisor Joe Hunziker.

“Actually, there are probably more than 750,” said Magnolia Center Program Coordinator Laura Gigi, as the seniors and their guests from the Guard and the community put finishing touches on cards during the center’s gathering.

According to the Guard, 450 men and women in units from Mountain View, Sacramento, National City, Oxnard and Riverside have been mobilized to the Horn of Africa, Kuwait and Guantanamo Bay. The seniors made so many valentines that the recently returned Guardsmen and their units will receive the handmade cards as well, said Sgt. 1st Class Rebecca Wolkenhauer.

In addition to Hill, Bender and Wolkenhauer, the seniors were joined by CNG Captain Shannon Terry; Sgt. Major Daniel DeGeorge and Jenivee DeGeorge, his spouse; and Lauren Hall, public affairs supervisor for the Guard; longtime project supporters Elaine Garbarino, South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Richard Holt and Jeannette Holt, his spouse; Barbara Irli of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church; and Jesse Lange, a member of the South San Francisco Fire Department.

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Leslie Guevarra
Senior District Representative, Communications
Office of State Senator Jerry Hill
Office: 650-212-3313
Cell: 415-298-3404

Group shots and candid photos attached from event on February 6, 2015, South San Francisco

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Robert Riechel

Photo Credit: San Bruno Patch Archives

Source Credit: CA Senator Jerry Hill’s Office

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