PAWTUCKET – The Pawtucket Police Department is spreading the love with its third annual Kind Hearts Campaign.

The project started back in 2023, when police were trying to find a new way to interact with residents.

“We realized that some may be feeling lonely around Valentine’s Day, and wanted to see what we could do to help spread a little cheer,” said Officer Carrie Hormanski.

The department asked kind-hearted children, crafters, and community members to donate Valentine’s Day cards to the station. Then, on Valentine’s Day, cards and treats were distributed to senior centers and Pawtucket housing developments.

That first year, hundreds of cards were donated, and the campaign was so successful that police decided to make it a yearly tradition. Since then, Hormanski said it’s only gotten bigger and better.

“While simple in concept, collecting and distributing Valentine cards, we can tell it has a big impact based on the hugs and kind words we receive while handing out the cards,” she said.

After seeing a social media post about this year’s campaign, District 46 representative and Kids Klub Inc. founder, Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, said she knew she wanted to contribute to the cause.

She asked her Lincoln Elementary School Kids Klub teachers if they could find a way to work this project into their curriculum, a request Derrick Harnish immediately agreed to.

“My favorite thing in the universe is kindness, and teaching kids kindness,” said Harnish, who runs the Northern Elementary after-school program. “When I heard about this opportunity, I thought it’d be the perfect way for our students to not only learn about kindness, but to practice it in a very real way, and for them to be part of something bigger than themselves.”

Prior to starting the project, Harnish explained to students why the activity was important. Then, the after-school crew spent a few days crafting their Valentines.

In addition to flexing their kindness muscles, Harnish said the craft also helped encourage creativity among students, and allowed them to practice spelling and literacy.

Naomi Santiago, 10, told The Breeze that she loved getting to make cards, and that she’s very excited for people to receive her creations.

“I think it’s important to spread kindness to everyone, even people who you don’t know,” she said. “You never know what someone else may be going through, and it’s just nice to be nice … also, everyone deserves to get Valentines.”

William Wyland, a 3rd-grader, agreed with Santiago, adding that he wants everyone to feel seen and appreciated.

“There are some people who may think they have no one, or think they’re not loved, and that makes me sad. Once they see these cards, they’ll know that people care about them,” he said.

Inside Wyland’s cards, he wrote, “I hope your day is as amazing as you are.” He added that he hopes the recipients of his cards will keep them displayed all year long, not just during Valentine’s day.

Hormanski thanked everyone who participated, from community members to day cares, schools and local businesses, saying that without them, the Kind Hearts Campaign wouldn’t be possible.

Police also thanked Hazel Origin Coffee, Rosebud Florist, and GM2 for partnering with the department to make this year’s Kind Hearts Campaign the best yet.

“While handing out Valentine cards is not in the oath one takes when they are sworn in as an officer, nor specified in the job duties and responsibilities, when we have the opportunity to do good in our community, we also have the obligation to do good,” Hormanski said.

“This campaign, and our other community initiatives, helps us to build bonds with those we serve in a unique, and fun way.”