By LINDA MARKHAM

Tyrrell Library staff

Valentine’s Day is the time to celebrate love and friendship among loved ones, children and friends. Most people think of love, hearts, Cupid, chocolates, cards and flowers for this special day. This year, the Tyrrell County Library will be offering a unique way of showing your loved ones how much they mean to you.

On Friday, Feb. 12, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Sesame Street’s Elmo will be visiting Columbia to help the community celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Mickey and Minnie will deliver special Valentine Boxes to the adult recipients, either at work or at home during the morning hours. The delivery area will be the town of Columbia, including a one-mile radius around the town limits. This area includes: State Employees Credit Union, the Board of Education, Farm Bureau, and Flemz. Anyone outside this area can arrange to receive their boxes during lunch at one of the local establishments. All deliveries are scheduled to be completed by 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12.

In the afternoon, Elmo will make deliveries to pre-school and school-aged children at Mother’s Helper, the Potter’s House or at the library.

Valentine’s Day boxes will include a couple of surprises. There will be some special chocolates and a plush surprise in every box. If the purchaser would like to make the box more personalized, they can provide a small item(s) which would be included in the gift box when delivered. Possible items that could be added include: jewelry, gift certificates, gift cards, or any other small item(s) that will fit in the boxes. Nametags with the addresses of each recipient will be attached to each of these gifts for delivery purposes.

In addition, the children’s boxes will include a small toy. Delivery times for this unique gift idea will take place in the morning between 9 a.m. to noon. Unfortunately, deliveries to the schools will not be available. However, school-aged children will be able to receive their boxes at the library after the school day. Children can ride the bus to the library where Elmo will hand out the boxes and the children can have a photo opportunity with Elmo after receiving their Valentine package. Parents are welcome to meet with their children for this event after school.

This will be a great opportunity to do a little something different this year to honor your loved ones this year for pre-Valentine’s Day. The cost of this service will be $8 for each personalized Valentine box. The supplies will be limited, so you will need to act fast. Just visit the library, fill out the required information on the gift tag, bring any added extras that you would like to add and you will be guaranteed your loved one will be presented with a surprise prior to Valentine’s Day.

This great opportunity has been made possible by the Tyrrell County Public Library, Friends of the Tyrrell County Public Library, the American Legion Post 182, and the Columbia Rotary Club. This will be your opportunity to celebrate love and friendship.

You can begin purchasing your boxes now, and the deadline for reserving your Valentine boxes will be Wednesday, Feb. 10, at noon, or while supplies last. If you have any questions, please contact the library at 252-796-3771.