Jan Peek House was bathed in heart-red on Feb. 8.

The coverings on the tables in the dining room.

The swirls of decorative icing on the sheet cake.

The red shopping bag Anthony, one of Jan Peek’s current residents, filled with brand-new necessities such as soap, socks, T-shirts and underwear.

“This is a happy Valentine’s Day for me,” he said.

It was over 10 years ago that the women of the Westchester Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. began a romance with Jan Peek residents, initially by serving dinners in the evenings.

For the last couple of years the chapter’s members have marked Valentine’s Day at Jan Peek with a “pop-up shop” – tables filled with personal items and toiletries to give away – and hours of other activities, including painting nails, playing games and talking with residents.  

Service work is integral to Delta Sigma Theta’s mission, a predominantly black national sorority that began in 1913.

The annual visit to Jan Peek is one of the Westchester chapter’s “signature events,” Joan Balkcom, the chapter’s first vice president, said as residents carrying red bags made their rounds of the tables.

“We enjoy coming up so much, we come up every single year,” she said. “And people don’t mind giving. That’s one thing about our chapter: People are very generous.”

In one room the Deltas arranged on tables a variety of personal items they had collected: gloves, knit hats, socks, sweaters, T-shirts, underwear. They also filled tables with deodorant, lotion, toothpaste and other toiletries.

Inside the dining room residents were treated to a dessert bar – brownies, cookies, elephant ears, cake and assorted drinks.

“I think it’s important to help people, especially those who are not as advantaged as I myself might be,” said Corola A. Jernigan.

The Deltas do more than just hand out gifts during their annual visit. They also bring cards, coloring books and nail polish, and spend hours hanging out with residents.

Just before sitting down for a game of “spades,” Joanne Dunn-Francis gave a pep talk to one resident. Because she lives in Peekskill, Dunn-Francis feels an extra connection to Jan Peek.

“Just wanted to let them know that this is only a temporary phase to a longer solution,” she said. “Just because you’re here doesn’t mean that everything stops and it doesn’t mean that your future doesn’t have a positive outlook.”

The Deltas’ support transcends Valentine’s Day.

Last October the chapter recognized CHHOP at ist 60th Diamond Anniversary and Community Service Awards celebration. Chapter President Danielle Henry presented CHHOP with a $1,000 check.

“Politics is important; social justice is important; helping the community is important,” said Delta Joy Cain. “All of these things matter.”