Denver Seniors Receive Roses for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day will be a bit sweeter for 4,000 Denver-area seniors this year, as volunteers spread across the Denver Metro area handing out roses and smiles to elders. The Denver Hospice has partnered with national wish-granting organization Wish of a Lifetime and Safeway to bring volunteer 'Cupid Crews' to 38 senior living communities, sharing smiles and conversations with those who may feel left out or lonely on Valentine's Day. As seniors age, many lose spouses and loved ones, and the joy of Valentine's Day can diminish. Research from Rutgers University shows that the receipt of flowers decreases depression and encourages companionship in senior citizens. The study also shows that seniors perform higher on everyday memory tasks and experience enriched personal memories in the presence of flowers. Safeway donated the roses that will be distributed by 250 volunteers with The Denver Hospice, Safeway, and students from five local schools. 'At The Denver Hospice, we pride ourselves on our passion for caring for our families, patients and community. Handing out roses this Valentine's Day is a great example of how we are big enough to make a difference, but small enough to care,' said Janelle McCallum, President of The Denver Hospice. Follow along on social media with the hashtag #CupidCrew. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf3uAq7wBqs