(Archive March 15, 2010) Professor and Students Double Number of Valentines for Veterans

By Travis Champagne | Observer Reporter

Sheila Murphy, Honors Program Coordinator and Professor of Human Services and Psychology at Mount Wachusett Community College, has been bringing valentines made by students to veterans at the Edith Norse Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA for the past two years. Twelve years ago, World War II veteran John Michalski started this project by bringing valentine cards to some of his friends at the hospital just to do something nice for them. His motto has always been “Bring Joy, Spread Happiness,” said Murphy.

Michalski had the help of Murphy’s sister Donna since he started the project. Donna is an Art teacher at the Elm Street School in Gardner and with the help of her students, she produced many valentines that Michalski would bring to the veterans himself.

Four years ago, Michalski became a resident of the hospital and he could no longer bring the valentines up. Donna Murphy brought them for the last four years, and Sheila Murphy has joined for the last two.

Finding a reason to do this for Sheila Murphy is easy. Michalski has been a friend of her family for years. When he became a resident of the hospital, she wanted to do something for him and carrying on his project was one thing that came to mind.

The veterans appreciate the gesture as well. “One veteran was so happy to get a card we gave him a whole stack,” said Professor Murphy. “It was good to bring joy to other people.”

Michalski even had the card given to him last year still displayed in his room.

Professor Murphy had the help of her students in the Human Services Club as well as the students in Alpha Beta Gamma the past two years. The students produced over 300 cards this year, more than twice the amount of last year, which was 130. This growth is a good sign to Sheila Murphy, who would like to involve more schools next year and perhaps start the project earlier to grow the event.

Professor Murphy said the veterans were not only appreciative, they were interesting as well. “One man was a triplet who actually served with his two brothers in World War II,” she said. She even met a veteran who was the chauffeur for a former Mayor of Boston.