Hospice of the Panhandle’s Education Center once again this year will turn into a Valentine snack center. And the result will be that thousands of snacks, ranging from granola bars to raisins to potato chips to candy, will be distributed to Hospice providers and supporters as a thank you during Valentine’s season this year.
A project that began more than 30 years ago, Valentine Treat Week is a big hit in the local community. Members of local churches, volunteers and other hospice supporters in the past baked hundreds of dozens of cookies and donated them to the Hospice of the Panhandle’s annual Valentine’s Day Cookie Project. Four years ago, in the throes of COVID-19, the project was suspended for a year, but then restarted in 2021, taking a different form. 
The community – churches, volunteers and many others – now bring individually wrapped snacks to several locations.
“We understand that many people miss the homemade cookies. However, our supporters seem to really appreciate the snacks. Even though they aren’t homemade, this small token represents the gratitude that Hospice of the Panhandle has for the community that supports us,” said Volunteer Services Manager Katrina Stevens.
The same project will occur this year. Hospice is asking community members to bring in individually wrapped snacks. After they are collected and boxed by hospice volunteers, the snacks will be delivered to area physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies and many others community partners.
Hospice volunteer Mary Duke has been packing treats for more than a decade.
“This is such a wonderful project,” Duke said. “We want to thank who support Hospice of the Panhandle, and this is a unique but important way.”
Hospice volunteer Ruth Bradley, who volunteers in several capacities for the agency, started working on the project several years ago. The sheer volume of snacks donated continues to amaze her.
“It’s absolutely awesome,” Bradley said, “The packing process is down to a science.”
According to Stevens, dozens of volunteers assure that this project runs smoothly.
“We anticipate churches, organizations, and individuals donating the snacks,” Stevens said. “And once the volunteers get involved in assembling all those boxes, it’s nothing short of amazing. They complete the task in record time.”
Those who receive the boxes often greet deliverers with a huge smile and a warm “Thank you!”
“This project has been a rich part of our history for many years,” said Hospice of the Panhandle CEO Nikki Bigiarelli. “I tell everyone at every opportunity just how aware I am of those in the community who support us in so many ways. This small token of appreciation is just one of the ways we can show them how grateful we are.”
Treats can be dropped off at the following locations:
Hospice of the Panhandle Main Office, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville
Drop off on Thursday, Feb. 6 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Hospice of the Panhandle Romney Office, 279 North High Street, Romney
Drop off on Thursday, Feb. 6 by 11 a.m.
CNB Bank, 101 S. Washington Street, Berkeley Springs
Drop off on Monday, Feb. 3 by 4 p.m.
Hospice of the Panhandle, a not-for-profit organization, has been caring for seriously ill patients and their families in the four eastern counties of West Virginia for 44 years. In 2021, Panhandle Palliative Services was added to hospice’s service line. For more information, call (304) 264-0406.
