Happening Monday: Valentines for Veterans, a massive annual volunteer event to craft cards of encouragement and gratitude for service members.

Group of adults and children smile while making cards at Valentines for Veterans 2026.

BEND, Ore. Jan. 15, 2026 – Valentine’s Day may be a month away, but it’s going to be in the hearts of many volunteers this Monday, January 19. That’s when community members of all ages will be gathering to volunteer their crafting spirit, making Valentine’s Day cards for U.S Veterans at Camp Fire Central Oregon’s Valentines for Veterans event.

This annual volunteer event takes place the morning of MLK Jr. National Day of Service in Bend and welcomes community members and Camp Fire friends to connect and create hundreds of handcrafted Valentines for U.S. Veterans. Completed cards will be delivered to service members at the regional veterans hospital on February 14. 

Young boy writing a Valentine for a U.S. VeteranCamp Fire provides all materials for the free event, but invites participants to bring their creativity, gratitude, and any friends, family members, or co-workers who might want to join in this huge act of kindness! Registration is encouraged through Connect Central Oregon, but walk-ins are welcome.

Of note, while crafting away, everyone will get to hear firsthand about serving in the military, thanks to Camp Fire's guest speaker and local veteran Dennis Guthrie, who served as a U.S. Army medic in Vietnam.

And new for this year’s event but across town: Oregon State University students participating in The Bridge program at the Bend campus will kick off cardmaking as well. The Bridge brings volunteer opportunities to campus and will provide students the opportunity to lend their crafting talents in alignment with and following MLK National Day of Service. These cards, however, will be saved for the 2026 Veterans Day Parade, when Camp Fire kids pass out cards of thanks to veterans at the parade.

Camp Fire staff member and group of No School Day Campers make Valentines Day cards for U.S. Veterans“We’re really excited to bring people together through this cherished, impactful effort, which never fails to ignite and nurture a collective spirit of service—both the community service of those making cards and the much-appreciated service of our U.S. Veterans who will receive them,” says Kecia Kubota, executive director of Camp Fire Central Oregon. “We have people who support this event every year, as well as a big crowd of newcomers and our adorable No School Day Campers. The energy and volunteer vibe is just incredible, not to mention the fact that it’s a special way to pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service, compassion and inclusion.”

Event Details
What: Valentines for Veterans – a community crafting event hosted by Camp Fire Central Oregon in honor of MLK Jr. National Day of Service
When: Monday, January 19, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Bend Church-United Methodist, 680 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97703 (Enter event via church office doors on Staat Street!)
Registration: Connect Central Oregon (registration encouraged, not required), https://volunteer.connectcentraloregon.org/need/detail/?need_id=1018262

Valentines for Veterans coincides with Camp Fire’s No School Day Camp since Bend-La Pine schools are out that day, as well as a Teen Connects event, whereby teens can sign up to volunteer for the community on this special holiday.

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INTERVIEW & MEDIA CONTACT:

Kecia Kubota (she/her), Executive Director | Camp Fire Central Oregon
info@campfireco.org; (541) 205-9146

About Camp Fire Central Oregon

Founded in 1910, Camp Fire is a national organization that actively engages youth and teens in building essential skills for life. Camp Fire Central Oregon has been a local leader in youth development since 1916. The organization provides out-of-school time, teen service and leadership, camp and environmental programs. Young people want to shape the world. Camp Fire provides the opportunity to help them find their spark, lift their voice, and discover who they are.