Spreading Love in Braille: Girl Scout Creates Accessible Valentines for Envision

This Valentine’s Day, a simple act of kindness is making a profound impact on the visually impaired community. Clara Coppinger, a dedicated Girl Scout working toward her Gold Award, has combined creativity and compassion to spread awareness, empathy, and love—one braille Valentine at a time. 

A Personal Connection Sparks a Meaningful Mission 

Clara’s journey began with a deeply personal inspiration: her grandmother. After seeing firsthand how Envision provided support, she knew she wanted to give back in a way that would make a lasting difference. Her Gold Award project was designed to educate others about visual impairments and create a more inclusive community. 

To do this, Clara developed an interactive lesson plan that reached 1,800 ninth-grade students at Allen High School. Through engaging presentations, challenge activities, and thought-provoking videos, she encouraged young people to better understand and empathize with those who are blind or visually impaired. 

But she didn’t stop there. 

Valentines with a Purpose 

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Clara wanted to create something that would truly resonate with the visually impaired community. She led an initiative to produce nearly 250 handcrafted, braille Valentine’s Day cards, ensuring that each card was both accessible and meaningful. 

She pre-punched braille messages onto the cards, and with the help of students, decorated them using tactile foam stickers and contrasting colors—making them more engaging for individuals with low vision. The effort not only brought awareness to students but also created something tangible that would brighten someone’s day. 

On February 10, Clara delivered the Valentines to Envision Dallas, where they were distributed to employees, clients, and community members. Recognizing the scope of her impact, she also arranged for a portion of the cards to be sent to Envision’s Kansas location, ensuring even more individuals could receive these heartfelt messages. 

More Than a Project – A Lasting Impact 

Beyond the Valentine’s, Clara also curated a display at the John & Judy Gay Library in McKinney for Low Vision Awareness Month, continuing her mission to educate the public. Her initiative not only raised awareness but also fostered a culture of inclusion and understanding. 

Thanks to her fundraising efforts, Clara even had $350 left over, which she used to purchase supplies from the Everyday Store at Envision, ensuring her support extended even further. 

When asked what she hopes people take away from her project, Clara shared, “I want people to realize how important it is to make the world more accessible. Small actions—like using braille on a Valentine’s card—can make a big difference in someone’s life.” 

An Inspiring Example of Inclusive Kindness 

Clara’s story is a testament to the power of one person’s passion to create change. Through education, advocacy, and a simple yet powerful gesture of love, she has not only made an impact on the lives of those who are visually impaired but has also inspired her peers to think differently about inclusion. 

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s follow Clara’s example—embracing the spirit of kindness, accessibility, and awareness in all that we do.