Hoffman Estates mayor delivers Valentine’s cards to seniors and care centers

The mayor of Hoffman Estates visited the village senior center and several local care facilities on Valentine’s Day to hand out community-made cards and meet residents who may not have family nearby. "My wife actually came up with the concept of doing this, and Jen Georgiovic in the mayor's office has run with it," the mayor said as volunteers prepared to make rounds.

Organizers said students, scout groups, businesses and residents contributed cards for distribution. Volunteers and village staff stopped at the senior center, Saint Alexius Hospital and the SHARE program on the hospital campus, and Gigi's Playhouse, where children and adults took photos with a visiting miniature horse.

Jennifer, a representative of the SHARE program, outlined services on site: "Here at the SHARE program, we have a 48 bed residential rehab program. We have detox, gambling, and outpatient services," she said, thanking the mayor and community for the cards and support. The mayor thanked SHARE staff and volunteers and said the visits were intended to make sure "everybody in Hoffman Estates is included in the Valentine's Day joy."

At Gigi's Playhouse, the mayor praised the nonprofit’s work with people with Down syndrome and noted the Playhouse was founded by Nancy Gianni nearly 25 years ago; staff said all programming is provided free of charge. The mayor also introduced a miniature horse, identified by volunteers as 'Chernobog' and affectionately called 'Mister Handsome,' which interacted with residents during the visits.

Photos and short conversations accompanied the card deliveries at each stop; organizers said the effort is an annual outreach to people who may not have family nearby. The visits concluded after the team finished dropping off cards and visiting attendees at the scheduled locations.