January 27, 2021—BOCA RATON, FL- The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is collecting Valentine’s Day cards, letters, and any other small tokens of love and appreciation for the middle and high school Caregiving Youth they serve, in honor of Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February 14.  These students all assist family member(s) who are chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled.

AACY Board Member and Treasurer, Debralyn Belletieri, came up with the idea to send each of the youth Valentine’s Day cards, a project that her vibrant, 94-year-old mother-in-law was thrilled to help with.

“She loves to keep busy and a project like this is perfect for her,” Debralyn said. “Then I thought, why not reach out to our community who have been so incredibly generous and supportive of AACY, our efforts, and our Youth. Every time we ask for help, support, volunteers, items, you name it, our community is there.”

“Caregiving Youth are at the heart of all that AACY does,” AACY President and Founder Connie Siskowski, RN, PhD said. “Especially in this time of isolation for so many, reaching out to our community in support of our Youth is mutually beneficial. People want to help others and feel needed in return.”

Items (suggestions include: ring pops, sweethearts, gummy candies, heart stress balls, lip gloss, red nail polish, Beanie Baby-sized stuffed animals, or anything with small hearts on it) for AACY may be dropped off or mailed to the AACY office at 6401 Congress Ave. Suite 200 in Boca Raton; or can be arranged for pick up. Financial contributions are also graciously accepted, and may be made online. All items and donations must be received before Wednesday, February 10.

For more information on how to help with the AACY Valentine’s Day project or AACY, please contact Kelly Cronin, Communications Manager at: 561.391.7401 or by email: kelly@aacy.org

Founded in 1998 by Dr. Siskowski, what is now AACY currently serves more than 400 caregiving youth (with more enrolled each day), in 32 middle and high schools throughout Palm Beach County; and proudly boasts the Caregiving Youth Project (CYP), founded in 2006 which has served nearly 1,800 caregiving youth. The CYP provides professional services in school, out of school and at home as well as supports students and their families with a myriad of needs-driven wraparound services with the help of collaborating partners.

The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) is a Florida based 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation that began serving the greater Boca Raton community in 1998. Today it is the only organization of its kind in the United States for addressing the issues surrounding the silent, vulnerable, and hidden population, conservatively estimated to exceed 5 million children ages 8-18 years who provide care for chronically ill, injured, elderly or disabled family members.  In partnership with schools, it prioritizes students in greatest need of services and increases their ability to remain in school through counseling, education, activities, and respite while strengthening families by linking them with community services. To donate to AACY, volunteer or for more information, email info@aacy.org or call 561-391-7401.