Summit County Domestic Relations Court Join Forces with “Operation Valentine’s Day” to Send Valentines to Deployed Troops

Administrative Judge Katarina Cook is continuing the Iraq War Veteran and Purple heart recipient 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.

Claire McIntire is  Jeremy’s wife and Bailiff for Judge Cook. When Judge Cook learned that a drop-off location was needed, Judge Cook offered to host a drop box at the court.

Supporters are asked to adhere to the following guidelines when creating valentines:

• Send a handwritten letter, note or handmade card. Soldiers feel extra special when they receive handmade, individually created Valentines. Envelopes are not required.
• Keep your cards to a size of 8 1/2″ x 11″ or under for ease in shipping and distribution.
• Cards cannot include glitter, food or candy, but there are still many ways to personalize a handmade card.
• Military personnel love to communicate with you! You can include your school, church or organization name, address and/or email contact on each card so recipients can write back. Children/students should only share their first name.
• Photos of the sender, sender’s family, church, or classroom participants can add a personal touch to your card.
• All cards will be screened.

Do not put individual Valentines in sealed envelopes.

Bundle cards and send or drop off in a single large envelope or box containing all the Valentines to:

Claire McIntire,

Bailiff for Administrative Judge Katarina Cook

Summit County Domestic Relations Court

205 S. High Street, Akron, OH 44308

If dropping off, there will be an Operation Valentines Day Box located on the Second Floor Schedulers Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00am to 4:00pm.

For additional information please contact Claire McIntire at 330-643-2357 or email at cmcintire@drcourt.org.

*ALL VALENTINES MUST BE COMPLETED AND RECEIVED BY

JANUARY 30, 2026*