FOLEY, Ala. — Hazel Kagey has a big heart. She spends most of her year passionately organizing events to benefit the community, like her annual Health Fair. She’s also a romantic. This year, she’s put love for the community and her love for love together to create “Operation Sweetheart.”

After Pensacola radio host Dana Cervantes made a trip to Iraq to deliver calling cards to troops for Christmas, an idea sparked in Kagey’s head.

“It’s great they were given cards during the holidays,” Kagey said. “But, I just thought maybe they wouldn’t mind talking to their sweethearts or children on Valentine’s Day.”

Thus, Operation Sweetheart was formed. Seeking donations from adults, Kagey hopes to be able to purchase International calling cards for the troops in the Middle East. She hopes each card will be a $30 dollar card.

“I think they will need at least 30 to be able to call across the ocean and be able to say ‘I love you,’” she said. “I don’t think I can send just $10, that will hardly get them across the Atlantic.”

With phone companies charging between $2.99 and $4.99 per international minute, donations are in great need.

“This isn’t an expensive venture,” Kagey said. “All donations can help.”

School-aged children are also involved in the program. Children at various Sunday School classes have begun creating Valentines to be sent to the troops alongside the calling cards. Kagey hopes to involve the local schools in Baldwin County in the project as well.

“I’m hoping that maybe something the kids write on the Valentine will make the soldiers smile,” she said. “The soldiers lives are threatened everyday. There’s lonely people out there that are away from their loved ones. We have to remind the soldiers that we love them and we love what they are doing for us.”

With the help of Dana Cervantes of Cat Country 98.7, the cards will be sent to specific camps in Iraq.

“Dana has actual addresses, which is great because when I started this I didn’t know where to send them,” Kagey said. “Dana will also e-mail the troops ahead of time to let them know the box is coming, because you can’t just mail a box to Iraq. The cards will probably go to troops from the area.”

To become involved in Operation Sweetheart, children can drop off homemade or store bought Valentine’s they have filled out. Valentines, phone cards and donations of any amount can be dropped off at the Foley United Methodist Church Spirit Center at 915 N. Pine St. by Jan. 28th.

The January cutoff is a result of the elongated amount of time it takes to have a package delivered to Iraq, which can take up to two and a half weeks.

“The soldiers are giving up so much for us,” Kagey said. “These cards are a simple way to let everyone over there know we love them.”