The Speech Language Pathology Student Association (SLPSA) hosted a Valentine’s card-making event for local seniors in the Oakland Center on Feb. 2, inviting students to create handmade cards while connecting with others on campus.
The event aimed to combine community service with a fun, interactive activity for students interested in speech-language pathology. By bringing students together, SLPSA provided an opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day while supporting seniors who may feel isolated.
The event welcomed participants to craft Valentine’s cards that would be distributed to seniors in the local community. Whitley Kinnard, SLPSA president and a senior majoring in linguistics, explained that many campus organizations host “Valentines for Seniors” events each February.
“When I realized that SLPSA hadn’t done one before, I thought it would be a great opportunity to host our own,” Kinnard said.
SLPSA is a student organization designed for those pursuing careers in speech-language pathology, offering information about the profession and guidance on graduate school admissions. Throughout the year, the organization hosts a variety of events aimed at raising awareness of speech-language pathology and fostering connections among students.
This Valentine’s card-making event was an extension of that mission, combining service, education, and community building.
Students gathered around tables filled with craft supplies, listening to music and chatting as they made cards. The relaxed atmosphere encouraged conversation and creativity while allowing participants to reflect on the impact of their work. For many students, the activity offered both a social outlet and a meaningful way to give back to the community.
Marisa Eckl, a senior majoring in linguistics, said she attended the event because she believes small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference, particularly for people who may feel lonely.
“I think one of the sweetest ways to show that love is through something made from your own hands and heart,” Eckl said.
She added that it felt rewarding to know the cards could reach seniors who may not have frequent visitors.
“I hope our cards can help even one person feel less alone,” she said.
Kinnard said hosting the event was also important for building connections among students.
“As president, it was important to me that we hosted an event that not only supported seniors who can feel lonely around Valentine’s Day but also brought together our cohort and Oakland University students in a fun and meaningful way,” she said.
To help distribute the cards, SLPSA partnered with Senior Helpers, a Michigan organization that supports seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia care, and daily living assistance.
“I reached out to the Michigan division and was connected with a representative that will help us distribute, and the rest came together from there,” Kinnard said.
Eckl said events like these allow students to practice skills essential for speech-language pathologists, such as patience, empathy, and gentleness.
“Experiences like these serve as reminders of how we should approach and care for our patients,” she said.
The card-making night was open to all students, designed to give back to the community while celebrating Valentine’s Day, and encouraged attendees to stop by, create cards, and connect with others.
“The response blew me away. I was so happy with the number of SLP and linguistics students and faculty who attended, and I love that we had several students from outside our program join us as well,” Kinnard said.
“Events like this are vital to campus life. They provide opportunities to connect with others who share similar inspirations, create a space to give back to the community together, and spark conversations that highlight additional community needs and raise awareness,” Eckl added.
“This is our first year hosting this event, but I hope we can continue in the future. I’m hoping to get an even larger turnout and make even more incredible cards and crafts,” Kinnard said.
With the success of the inaugural event, SLPSA hopes to continue building connections, spreading kindness, and providing opportunities for students to engage in meaningful community service.
