Administrative Judge Katarina Cook (L) and her Bailiff and Co-Founder of Operation Valentine’s Day Claire McIntire show case the 2026 Valentine’s Day cards haul!
Akron,Ohio-Friday, January 16,2026- Hon. Katarina Cook Administrative Judge of the Summit County Domestic Relations Court is continuing the Iraq War Veteran and Purple heart recipient and former Stow City Councilman Jeremy McIntire’s legacy project, Operation Valentine’s Day, by collecting Valentine’s cards for troops deployed overseas. Now in its seventh year, Operation Valentine’s Day has received more than 60,000 valentines to date, with contributions coming not only from Northeast Ohio but from communities across the United States.
“Troops can often find themselves going days or even weeks without hearing from a loved one. I know, I experienced this firsthand when I was stationed in Iraq,” states Jeremy McIntire.
Judge Cook shared, “This is our fourth year of having employees at the Summit County Domestic Relations Court during their lunch hour create Valentine’s cards for our overseas troops as part of Operation Valentine’s Day. It’s a small but meaningful way for us to show our appreciation and send encouraging messages to service members who can’t be with their loved ones.”
Cook added, “The event gives our court a chance to shed light on the challenges active-duty military parents often face when they’re separated from the other parent. These cases can be especially difficult, as the court works to find fair parenting-time solutions that serve the best interests of the child while one parent is away.”
The community response over the past six years has been truly overwhelming,” said Claire McIntire, Jeremy’s wife and Bailiff for Judge Cook. “When Judge Cook learned I was working to arrange drop-off locations for the valentines, she immediately offered to host a drop box at the court. The community has continued to reach out on their own, and are eager to continue to support this heartfelt project. I’m grateful that Judge Cook recognizes the importance of bringing people together in support of such a worthy cause.”
Valentines are being collected at the Summit County Domestic Relations Court from now until January 30th.