Hallmark Manor residents received some sweet surprises last week on Valentine’s Day.

“It all makes me so happy,” said Sharon Lucas, activities director for Hallmark Manor in Federal Way, about the first-time event.

A mountain of red and pink bags sat on a table in the Hallmark Manor activity office, spilling onto nearby chairs and carts. The goodie bags were donated by Do the Right Thing non-profit, started by Cheryl Hurst.

While creating 94 special deliveries took some time to organize, Hurst had help from friends, such as Shelley Pauls, and other community members.

And, Hurst said, it’s a small price to pay when ensuring others feel loved.

The nonprofit vounteers personalized the Valentine’s Day goodie bags, tailored to each resident’s likes when it comes to hobbies or interests, avoided any food allergies, and made sure to include plenty of their favorite treats, Lucas said.

“It means that they’re loved,” Lucas said before her eyes began to glisten. “Our residents come from very — I’m sorry, I tear up when I talk about my residents.”

Hallmark Manor, a Life Care Centers of America facility, serves residents for short-term rehabilitation, long-term care or post-operative recovery with around the clock nursing care.

“[Residents] come from different backgrounds. We have some that have no family, we have some that have family that are far away and can’t be here, and we have some that … their family loves and cares for them, but they just can’t handle the process it’s going through,” Lucas said. “Ultimately, we turn into their family.”

They are employees, but really it’s the residents’ home and employees are working in it, Lucas said.

“Just to be able to give them that little extra love is just amazing and just lets them know someone is thinking about them; they’re not just here stuck,” she said.

A diverse schedule of activities — from manicures to karaoke night to bingo — keep the residents busy during the week, Lucas said.

But surprise donations from the community spark joy, too.

Hallmark’s Resident Council will also hold a fundraiser with Sunny Sky’s Animal Rescue in Puyallup next month. Throughout the month of March, the community can donate pet food and supplies to Hallmark Manor’s Pet Drive. For more information or a list of needed donations, visit Sunny Sky’s wesbite.

Valentine’s Day goodie bags were donated to Hallmark Manor residents by Do the Right Thing non-profit. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo