N.S. ability centre residents send, receive messages of love ahead of Valentine’s Day

Residents of the Breton Ability Centre in Cape Breton have once again taken-on a Valentine’s Card writing campaign to “Spread the Love."

Residents at the Breton Ability Centre in Sydney River, N.S., made their final batch of Valentine’s Day cards on Thursday.

“It makes me feel happy,” said resident Suzanne Cormier.

For years, people who live at the home for adults with differing abilities have been showered with best wishes on Valentine’s Day.

“This is our sixth year. We started in 2020, just before the pandemic,” said Breton Ability Centre CEO Harman Singh. “They’re kind, they’re loving, they have so much love to give back, so that was really the intent.”

On Thursday, some had a message of love for one specific person.

“Nancy, I want to send you Happy Valentine’s Day wishes,” Cormier said as a message to her sister.

Others were sending Valentine wishes to many people.

“Mom and Dad, my niece and nephews, friends and cousins,” said resident Robert Beaton. “And all the staff at the Breton Ability Centre - the nurses, the clients, God bless you all.”

The residents make sure to spread the love to each other.

“They’re not strangers, they’re family,” said resident Tristan Mellen. “They’re family in this building.”

“It is a reminder to them that they belong to community, and the community really supports and welcomes them,” Singh said. “And I think that is really what gives them the biggest joy.”

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