CLEVELAND — Stow City Council Vice President Jeremy McIntire has served in multiple dangerous operations during his time in the United States Army.
But for the last two years, his focus in January has been on something new he created with his wife: “Operation Valentine’s Day.”
“What better holiday to let someone know that you’re thinking of them?” he said.
Last year – more than 12,000 handmade Valentine’s Day cards were collected and shipped to troops deployed overseas.
“One of the biggest parts about serving the public is serving something bigger than yourself and I think this speaks volumes about the members of this community and the surrounding communities,” said McIntire.
The goal this year? It’s 20,000.
“At my time in the service you really came to appreciate mail call because mail call was a time that connected you while you’re overseas to your family back home,” said McIntire.
This Valentine’s Day, the effort has expanded to give love and thanks to first responders and health care workers, too.
“All too often we take for granted the sacrifices that, you know, our first responders and our health care professionals make here at home. While yes, they do get to go home at the end of every day to see their friends and family, but the long hours — and especially during this pandemic — the long hours that they’ve endured,” he said.
Neighbors, schools, churches, nursing homes and local businesses craft the cards. It’s an idea that resonates with people across the country.
“We’ve received phone calls and emails from all around the United States for this – from New Jersey to New York to Georgia,” said McIntire.
Every Valentine is opened, screened, and organized into piles.
The city councilman is also a decorated army veteran. His office is full of military memorabilia.
His service in the Iraq War even earned him the Purple Heart award. McIntire was wounded by a roadside bomb.
“We’re very humble about our service. You know, we volunteered to do it because we felt it was the right thing to do,” he said.
Service is something the Cuyahoga Falls native considers part of his DNA. He comes from a military family.
“If I could attribute my sense of patriotism to anybody it would be my father,” he said.
So, whether it’s serving his country at war or serving his community on city council, the purpose is the same.
“It’s not about me. It’s about the people we’re serving,” said McIntire.
If you’d like to get involved, you can drop off Valentine’s Day cards at Stow City Hall or Councilman McIntire’s home on Baker Lane through Jan. 25.
More Details
- Cards should be 8 1/2 “x 11” (not in a sealed envelope)
- No glitter, food, or candy
- Your organization, name, address, email, photos, etc. can be included so recipients can write back
- For more information, contact Councilman Jeremy McIntire at 330-352-0487 or mcintireforstow@gmail.com; or Claire McIntire at 330-618-7586 or claireamcintire@gmail.com:
Drop Off Box Locations
Stow City Hall
3760 Darrow Rd, Stow, OH 44224
Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
1904 Baker Lane, Stow, OH 44224
