DURHAM, Feb. 13, 2010 — More than 1,200 volunteers participated in A Helping Hand’s ninth annual “Valentine Delivery and Serenade” on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. The event kicked off with a show at Carol Woods Retirement Community where students from Carolina and Duke shared a stage to sing about love, which in itself is amazing.

After performances by the UNC Loreleis, UNC Achordants and Duke University Chorale, NC Rep. Verla Insko made special valentine and rose presentations to three residents who had reached the milestone of 100 years, and couples married more than 50 years.

Following the show, the organization delivered roses, valentines and serenades throughout the community. Congressman David Price, Chapel Hill Town Council member Gene Pease and Durham City Council member David Woodard were among the more than hundred volunteers who participated in making valentine and rose deliveries.

This year’s community-wide outreach involved volunteers from 61 organizations including faith communities, campus clubs and civic organizations who contributed 4,300 hand-crafted valentines to bring valentine greetings to almost 2,500 older adults. The success of this unique event, launched in Chapel Hill in 2001, is generating interest from other communities who want to host a similar event.

For information about participating in next year’s event, please email valentinedelivery@ahelpinghandnc.org