For the last five years, Liam Pope-Lau has been on a quest to make sure residents of long-term care homes in Victoria feel remembered and cared for every Valentine’s Day.
Now in middle school, Liam was seven when his grandmother passed away in 2017. His Valentines for Seniors initiative, which began the same year, was inspired by the memory of the two of them making Valentine’s cards together.
With the help of his classmates at St. Michaels University School, Liam has made and delivered thousands of Valentine cards for seniors in local long-term care homes over the last five years, including Parkwood Place, Carlton House, Berwick Royal Oak, Berwick Shelbourne and Oak Bay Lodge.
“I found that caring makes you feel good and want to do more,” said the Grade 7 student. “I also realized how caring is contagious and how much people want to help. Caring connects us all — increasing that sense of connection with people is how we should treat all citizens in society, with gratitude and respect.”
The initiative took on greater significance in recent years, as residents in long-term care homes experienced high rates of loneliness due to visitor restrictions imposed to keep them safe during the pandemic.
“When the pandemic happened, I was thinking about people in care homes, feeling disconnected from the outside world. It really motivated me to keep going,” the 12-year-old said.
Every handwritten card is created by students at the school, with thoughtful and positive messages, letting seniors know they are cared about and remembered.
Naomi Pope, Liam’s mother, said her son’s friends encourage him each year in his Valentine’s quest. “These initiatives are truly collective efforts. Over the years, there have been hundreds of students and many supportive teachers behind it, too. It is really about building community and momentum for positive change.”
She believes that her son’s initiative was one of the first of its kind in Victoria. Other students and schools now also “share the love” with elders in the community, showing how kindness is contagious.
Graham Colley, general manager at Berwick Royal Oak, said residents of the retirement community have been touched by Liam’s Valentine kindness. “To see the generosity and spirit in such a young man is truly heartwarming.”
