Sanfordville salutes at annual Valentines for Vets Celebration

Sanfordville Elementary School celebrated its third annual Valentines for Vets event. Students and staff invited family members and community veterans from the United States military to be their Valentines as a gesture of gratitude for their service and sacrifices.

Upon their arrival, veterans were checked in by members of the Valentines for Vets team and, with help from students in the Warwick Valley High School chapter of the FFA, were pinned with boutonnieres. Then, it was down the hallway toward the cafeteria, as the first-grade students lined the hallways to provide a warm welcome and set a patriotic tone, waving flags and saluting.

Once everyone was seated in the cafeteria, it was time to stand again for the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the third-grade students. It was followed by a warm welcoming address from SES Principal Johnna Maraia and SES Student Leadership Club representative Abigail McGuire.

"As principal of Sanfordville Elementary School, it is my honor to welcome you all to our 3rd annual Valentines for Vets Breakfast to celebrate the love we share for our Veterans and Active Members of the U.S. Military," Ms. Maraia said. "We are so glad you were still able to attend today, even as Mother Nature does not always cooperate!"

The event, which has quickly become a beloved tradition, honored the service and sacrifice of local veterans with an outpouring of gratitude, creativity, and school spirit. Veterans and guests enjoyed a continental breakfast while being entertained by patriotic songs and poetry performances by the fourth-grade students and their Kindergarten buddies.

Our guests were treated to numerous raffles and gifts before the celebration concluded with a farewell speech given by SES Student Leadership Club representative Hudson Kevlin.

As a heartfelt farewell, Grade 2 students formed a line in the hallways to see the veterans off. They sent the veterans home with handmade valentines, crafts, and goodie bags—each one a symbol of the school’s gratitude and creativity.

In her remarks, Principal Maraia said, "I am most proud of our Sanfordville students who eagerly created the crafts and gifts you will receive. It's amazing that nearly every one of our 770 students is taking part in today’s celebration in one way or another."

Ms. Maraia also thanked the event organizers, teachers Sue Havell and Carla Overbey, along with their tireless V$V team for putting together such an outstanding event to help celebrate veterans and active US military.

In attendance were representative from Senator Skoufis’s office, Anthony Jorge, Assemblyman Brabenec and his Executive Director, Suzanne Edzenga, Village of Warwick Trustee, Mary Collura, several Warwick Police officers, SES SRO Katie Orresto, WVCSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach, school board members Keith Parsons and Tara Cruz, Director of Curriculum and Compliance Dr. Bill Rolon, Director of Special Education Liz DeFrancesco, and Director of Safety and Security Walter Beatty. 

Very special thanks to the following for their generous donations:  our wonderful Sanfordville families and the SES PTA, Warwick Shoprite, Warwick Price Chopper, Bagel Time, C&D Bagels, Pine Island Bagel Store, Frazzelberries, Daisy Crumm, Bella Casale Cookies, Newhard’s, Fizzy Lifting Candy, Etched In Time, Ochs, Candy Apple Shoppe, Table 21 Market, Corwins Florist, Lisa’s Flowers, Edenville General Store, Mary Murphy Cookies, Dream Donuts, Scenic Farms Golf, The Dough Girl Pine Island Parks and Recreation, Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, and several private donors.

Thank you to the wider Warwick Valley school community, including the crew at WVCSD Food Service and the aforementioned FFA students. Students from the WVHS Criminal Justice program were on hand to direct visitors and help with parking, while a videographer from the WVHS Video Production program was there to document the event for a future WVTV broadcast. Thank you to the high school's unique in-house CTE program for sharing them with us -- they did a great job!   

"We all come together to celebrate not just this day, but the spirit of our community and the appreciation that unites us all," Ms. Maraia said, adding one last sentiment for the day's honored guests. "Thank you for being here and for your incredible service!"

Sanfordville Elementary School’s commitment to honoring veterans not only brings joy to those who have served but also instills a spirit of kindness and respect in the next generation. As the last notes of patriotic music faded and veterans departed with arms full of valentines, one thing was clear: the heart of Sanfordville beats strong for those who serve.