Members of the Catasauqua High School Digital Media Club felt the love this Valentine’s Day and wanted to spread kindness to the community. They decided to collect donations and share them with North Catasauqua Police Department.

North Catasauqua police, emergency management and fire departments delivered Be My Valentine donations to Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital-Cedar Crest and Lehigh Valley Cancer Center-Muhlenberg.

“We are hoping to collect enough donations to provide every patient with something to lighten up their day, bring them smiles and keep them entertained while receiving treatment,” a Jan. 29 post on the North Catasauqua Police Department Facebook page stated.

According to Leslie Estrada, club adviser and CHS Spanish teacher, the club collected two boxes and one large bag full of stuffed animals, books, coloring books, crayons, socks, toy cars, candy and more. They also donated more than 30 adult coloring books and wrote little messages in Valentine’s Day cards and in some of the books for the recipients.

“I’m not sure how they managed to collect so much with the storm,” Estrada said referring to the snowstorm Jan. 31-Feb. 2. “We were teaching and learning virtually all week.”

Students were encouraged to label their donations to receive spirit day points for their classes.

She reported the student organizers were Chloe Moyer, Haylie Toth and Trisha Bloszinsky, as well as virtual students Alex Oakley, Cole Brown and Julianna Grate.

“We would like to thank CHS students and community members for donating candy, Valentine’s Day socks, stuffed animals, coloring books, crossword puzzles and much more for this project,” the club members said. “We are so grateful to live in a community that comes together to help others.”

Catasauqua High School Principal Adam Schnug said he is proud of the students and the efforts of the club members.

“It is inspiring to see our students take on initiatives that help others during a pandemic and a troublesome winter,” Schnug said. “I believe it is a testament to the tight-knit community and values of Catasauqua.”

According to Estrada, they used to do this drive for the Angel 34 Foundation but worked with the police department this year.

Donations were accepted up until Feb. 5 to allow for the items to be quarantined for safety before the Feb. 12 distribution.

Police Chief Chris Wolfer said the event was an overwhelming success, and the department plans to do it again in the future. During the North Catasauqua Borough Council meeting Feb. 15, Wolfer thanked Officer Brian Douglas for the idea and for working behind the scenes to put it together.

According to a Feb. 13 post on the police department’s Facebook page, they donated hundreds of personalized gift bags, toys, books, chocolates, games and more.

“We are very fortunate for all the outreach and donations that we received from the community, as this drive was an incredible experience for all the members here at the North Catasauqua Police Department,” the Facebook post stated.

The CHS Digital Media Club also held a food drive March 1-10 to collect for the Catasauqua Community Cares Program, which provides food bags for students and families who need them.