Community members in Brooke County have made more than 600 valentines to be delivered to troops overseas for Operation Valentine.


After collecting letters for only a few weeks, representatives with the Chambers and James funeral homes delivered the hundreds of letters they received Thursday morning to the post office.


The valentines were placed into a box, which is now on its way to our soldiers.


Eric Fithyan said this is the first year the project was held locally and thought it was a great way to tell the troops they are loved and missed.


He said he is ecstatic about the turnout.


"I was absolutely amazed. We called on the schools, churches and day cares, and we got 689 valentines. (It's) absolutely amazing. (It) really shows our support," Fithyan said. "When we were packaging up this morning, (we were) reading some of the messages from the children. 'We care.' 'Mr White House, we care about our troops. Make sure you support them.' (There were) a lot of nice sayings from little kids."


With Valentine's Day only a week away, Fithyan said the letters will be delivered in time. He said he hopes it'll put a smile on the soldiers' faces knowing that Brooke County and the rest of the valley cares.


Fithyan told NEWS9 because the response was so great this year, they will continue the program and hope to send even more next year.