CRANBERRY TWP — Multiple generations joined forces recently to make and sell valentines to help the county's disabled veterans.

Residents of UPMC Cranberry Place and Senior Girl Scout Troop 1552 made the valentines and hosted a pancake breakfast for staff members to raise proceeds for the veterans.

About 20 residents and seven Girl Scouts began making the valentines on Saturday. The cards will be sold to staff members at Cranberry Place.

UPMC Cranberry Place, located on the campus of UPMC Passavant Cranberry on St. Francis Way, provides specialized orthopedic rehabilitation programs, skilled and long-term nursing care and hospice services.

"That need to help other people doesn't go away," said Debbie Goral, activities director at UPMC Cranberry Place. Even though advanced age and health have affected many of the home's residents, they still want to give back to the community any way they can, she said.

"The residents get to help the community and make a difference without leaving their home," said Goral, adding that in the near future, residents would like to help those soldiers being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

The Girl Scouts participating in the valentine event are all ninth graders at North Allegheny Intermediate High School.

Most of the girls in the troop began as Daisy Scouts when they were in kindergarten at Marshall Elementary School.

"We have 10 members in the troop and we usually have eight participating in our projects and activities," said troop leader Suzanne Carson.

The Girl Scouts got involved with the project through Goral, who has worked with several service projects with Marshall Middle School students.

"I am always looking for ways to connect the girls with great service opportunities and inspirational people, so I contacted Debbie about doing some service projects with the troop," said Carson.

"We have done a couple of other projects with the nursing home, including hosting Super Bowl and Halloween parties last year."

The project will help the scouts earn their Generations Hand in Hand badge, necessary to earn a Gold Award.

Phil Stebler, current chaplain and former quartermaster of the Cranberry Township Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 879, said the post will be accepting the donations for distribution.

The Cranberry VFW post has in the past helped the UPMC Cranberry Place distribute gifts during Christmas.