Lillian reads a few Valentine’s Day cards to her 2-year-old daughter Callie, who is a patient at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. (photo courtesy of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will travel back to prehistoric times for its annual Valentine’s Day card drive.

Individuals can create a dinosaur-themed Valentine from three designs – a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Brachiosaurus or a Triceratops – and write a friendly message on the back of the card. The cards with messages will be printed, laminated and hand-delivered to CHLA’s pediatric patients along with goody bags on Valentine’s Day. For each card with a message sent until Feb. 14, an anonymous donor has pledged to donate $1 to CHLA, committing up to $25,000.

Hospitalized kids are unable to attend school parties or exchange Valentines and miss out on getting to celebrate the holiday with friends and classmates. These special greeting cards and thoughtful, kind words lift CHLA patients’ spirits and let them know how much people care. In past years patients have received Valentine’s Day cards from the Los Angeles community and supporters across the country, as well as international holiday well-wishes from Australia, Europe, Asia and South America.

For information, visit chla.org/valentine.