Chatham Hall Launches the Sixth Year of Mission Valentine

For the sixth year in a row, Chatham Hall students are coming together to spread love, kindness, and connection through Mission Valentine, a cherished community-wide initiative rooted in service. What began as a simple act of care has grown into one of the School’s most meaningful traditions, brightening lives throughout the Town of Chatham and beyond.

This year marks the largest Mission Valentine yet. Chatham Hall has set an ambitious goal to handcraft and deliver 600 Valentine’s Day cards to local residences and businesses across Chatham, Virginia. The growth of the initiative reflects not only student creativity and enthusiasm but also Chatham Hall’s enduring commitment to empathy, service, and authentic community engagement.

Mission Valentine was launched in 2021 by the Spiritual Life League with a simple but powerful purpose: to involve the entire Chatham Hall community in spreading love. The initiative was inspired by a family tradition of Chaplain Beth Barksdale, who, alongside her mother, delivered cards and homegrown roses to vulnerable members of their community. That spirit of care now lives on through Chatham Hall students, who handcraft each card and personally deliver them to local residents, particularly elderly neighbors, individuals experiencing isolation, and those who may welcome a little extra joy.

This year’s mission was also marked with a deeper awareness of compassion as the school dedicated a specific chapel service to this important value. “Compassion is much more than a response to joy or pain. It is a distinct emotional behavior that promotes social cohesion,” said Chaplain Barksdale.  Illustrating how compassion is the glue that holds communities together, she shared an anecdotal story of a boy who realized that his heart would become more and more beautiful by giving parts of it away.  

From its humble beginnings of 100 valentines delivered in its first year, Mission Valentine has grown steadily. Last year, students delivered 450 cards, and this year’s goal of 600 reflects the expanding reach and impact of the initiative.

Students and alumnae alike speak to the power of Mission Valentine and the connections it creates.

“I loved everything about this idea—the togetherness it brings,” shared Virginia Grace J. ’22. “It brings Chatham Hall together as a community and gives us a chance to connect with the town of Chatham.”

Ellery B. ’24, former president of the Spiritual Life League, reflected on visiting residents at the Chatham Health and Rehabilitation Center. “We want our community to know how much we appreciate them.”

For Annie W. ’25, who participated every year, the impact is clear. “I’ve seen how this initiative excites both our students and the greater Chatham community. It’s a wonderful way to uplift the people of Chatham and spread Valentine’s Day cheer.”

“It’s a beautiful way to spread love and joy throughout the community,” added Aspen S. ’25. “Mission Valentine makes Valentine’s Day special for everyone in our local area.”

Aliah R. ’25 emphasized the importance of personal connection. “Not only do I get to make cards for people who live here in Chatham, but I also get to hand them out. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces reminds me how much these small acts matter.”

Isabella C.P. ’25 shared, “Mission Valentine is one of my favorite events at Chatham Hall because every student can be involved, whether creatively making valentines or physically delivering them. It reminds us of the difference one person can make by choosing to show love.”

What began as a single-league initiative has now become the foundation for broader community engagement at Chatham Hall. All of the School’s service leagues now participate in Mission Valentine. Service League sponsors Chaplain Beth Barksdale, Frankie Beyer, and Emma Liss will lead the decoration of Valentine’s on Thursday, February 5, during a schoolwide activity.  Following this event, a crafting station will be set up on campus through Sunday evening, and students, staff, and families are encouraged to continue making valentines in an effort to reach 600.

Chatham Hall will deliver Valentine’s to residents of Chatham on Monday, February 9, beginning at 1:45 p.m. If you would like to come see our students in action, please reach out to Michelle Andrade at mandrade@chathamhall.org.

Mission Valentine is more than a seasonal tradition. It is a reflection of Chatham Hall’s belief that service begins with love, and that small, intentional acts can make a lasting difference.