We host several recognition events each year, but one of the favorites is our annual "My Volunteer Valentine" Tea Party which began last year. This year, I started out by sending nomination forms to all staff in the medical center asking them to submit the name of a volunteer who exemplifies extraordinary caring and commitment, along with a brief explanation of why this person is deserving of this "Volunteer Valentine" honor. I designed the invitation on Microsoft Publisher, and sent it to all our volunteers, as well as to our Hospital Executive Team, and everyone who nominated a volunteer. We hosted the event in our main auditorium, complete with assorted finger sandwiches and mini desserts, as well as several types of hot and cold teas. At each table we placed a special gift: we purchased sets of demitasse cups with saucers at our local 99 cent store and filled each cup with three different flavored tea bags, and valentine candy. We wrapped them in pink cellophane tied with ribbon. We covered our tables with white table cloths and used pink and red runners. Red and pink Valentine stuffed Teddy Bears (purchased at our local Big Lots store) were our centerpieces, and pink and red paper hearts of all sizes filled the room. When the guests arrived, they were given a "Volunteer Word Search" game to play just for fun. The completed games were collected by one of our staff members, and served as their entry into the prize drawing which took place later in the event. We had music playing overhead (including Frank Sinatra's "My Funny Valentine") and topped it off with entertainment by a harpist who was an employee. After all the food and socializing, we awarded the "My Volunteer Valentine" honorees with certificates and a gift, by reading the words that had been submitted by employees during the nomination process. We also drew names for the several prizes that we had, and the stuffed Valentine Bears at each table were won by those at each table who's birthday was closest to Valentine's Day. It was a great event!