Delivering Compassion: Volunteer Circle’s Impact on Seniors
Travyn R., a Pleasanton high school student, first started Volunteer Circle in 2022 in an effort to make volunteerism more accessible, intentional, and community-driven for young people.
After the pandemic, Travyn noticed that many of his peers shared the desire to get more involved in their community but didn’t always know where to start or how their efforts could make a meaningful impact. Volunteer Circle gives young people a space to come together, work on hands-on philanthropic projects, and see the difference they are making in real time.
One of the group’s projects that is especially meaningful to Travyn is the Hearts for Seniors Valentine’s Day card campaign. While Valentine’s Day is known as a celebration of love and appreciation, many seniors—especially those living alone—can feel excluded and isolated. Noticing this in his own community, Travyn set out to create a simple but personal initiative to remind older adults that they are valued and cared for on Valentine’s Day.
By working with Meals on Wheels Diablo Region to distribute the cards, Volunteer Circle can broaden their impact and reach more homebound, socially-isolated seniors in the Mount Diablo area. Each handmade card provides more than a cheerful message. It offers a moment of joy, connection, and compassion.
“Supporting seniors is especially important to me because they represent a generation whose experiences and contributions have shaped the community we benefit from today,” says Travyn. He looks up to his grandparents and makes it a point to show them love and gratitude, but he recognizes that many seniors do not always receive the same attention. Even a small gesture, like a handwritten card, can brighten someone’s day and remind them that they are not forgotten.
“If I could share one message directly with the seniors receiving these cards, it would be that they are deeply appreciated. Their lives, stories, and presence in our community matter, and we are grateful for them.”
Through his philanthropic work with Volunteer Circle and campaigns like Hearts for Seniors, Travyn is inspiring young people to make a meaningful impact while showing compassion for his older neighbors. His efforts are a reminder that thoughtful, intentional service can connect generations and strengthen the fabric of our community.
Check out some of the handmade cards and the volunteers behind them below!
Learn more about Volunteer Circle and how you can get involved in the Hearts for Seniors campaign [Here] !