Local veteran encourages Rhode Islanders to send Valentines Day cards overseas

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — A North Kingstown veteran is encouraging Rhode Islanders to send Valentines to those overseas.

U.S. Navy veteran Matthew McCoy and committee member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Rhode Island launched this event four years ago.

News Anchor Karah Bailey had the opportunity to interview McCoy Friday.

McCoy said that last year he received over 3,500 Valentine’s to deployed service members. He is hoping to gather more cards for this year’s batch.

McCoy shared that veterans often can feel isolated with the lack of internet access over seas. This project helps them to remember that they are not alone.

Matthew McCoy shares a hand-made Valentine.(WLNE)

“What were hoping to achieve here is just to show a little love, spread a little love, let people know that the people back home and the people in the community here in Rhode Island still care about them,” McCoy said in an interview with ABC6 News.

Many schools from around the state have donated to the cause.

Matthew McCoy shares one of the Valentines made by students. (WLNE)

Valentines will be collected until Feb. 9 and can be dropped off at North Kingstown Free Library.