Ormond Beach children create 'Valentine Boxes of Love' for local foster kids

Ormond Beach Observer
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Two local girls have created "Valentine Boxes of Love" to be distributed to foster kids in Volusia County through Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in DeLand.

Gianna Capri and Ellie O'Toole put together boxes of chocolates and other goodies to show the foster kids they are loved and that they matter, said Jenny Capri, Gianna's mother.

Gianna and her brothers had learned more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in August 2022, when they donated backpacks and school supplies for local children.

Gianna, Capri added, has also been at the forefront of growing Michael's 'Ohana, an initiative the family founded in 2021 after Capri's brother Michael Alberico died from a lifelong neurological disease.

Ellie O'Toole and Gianna Capri create "Valentine Boxes of Love" for local foster children. Courtesy photo

"We focus on helping nonprofit organizations, those specifically that help individuals with special needs," Capri said in an email to the Observer. "Gianna's Uncle Mike loved life, and even though he was a quadriplegic all his life, he taught everyone he met that all life was a blessing and to give back to those who need it whenever possible. One person can make a difference, and at Michael's 'Ohana we truly believe this."

To learn more about Michael's 'Ohana, visit https://www.facebook.com/OurohanaMichaelAlberico.

To learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health's family counseling services, visit https://www.devereux.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=fl_family_counseling or its Facebook page at http://facebook.com/devereuxflorida.