Валентинки тут рядом: Charity Bot

Every February 14th people look for a card, but you may want to send something with real meaning, instead of a picture from a pile. The bot "Валентинки тут рядом" ("Valentines right here") belongs to the charity foundation "Антон тут рядом" and is tied to its annual campaign "Прикоснуться словами" ("Touch with words"). 💌

A valentine with help behind it

The foundation supports people with autism. Its students and artists take part in the campaign: they create the phrases and lettering for the valentines. By buying a card, you support their work.

The campaign has run every year since 2022, close to Saint Valentine's Day. The bot's profile gives the dates, February 1 to 21, and the motto "Only love!"

What the bot does

The greeting is simple: launch the bot and wait for news. It is the channel the foundation uses to announce the start of the campaign and new valentines, including digital ones.

The only menu command, /start, restarts the bot. Most of the activity happens in February, and during the rest of the year the bot may stay quiet. 🕊

How to take part

1. Launch the bot. Press /start and wait for the start announcement.
2. Pick a valentine. You can choose a paper one at sales points or a digital one.
3. Write kind words. Think about who you want to address them to.
4. Send it. Hand it over in person, by mail or in a messenger.

What is known about past results

• Scale. According to media reports, around 55,000 valentines were sold in 2025 across dozens of Russian cities.
• Partners. Hundreds of brands and shops join the campaign.
• Funds. The money goes to the foundation's center: rent, running costs and staff salaries.

Finding warm words

If the phrase won't come, recall a concrete situation: how the person helped you, made you laugh or stood by you. A couple of exact details work better than generic wishes.

Skip long template greetings that could go to anyone, and address the person by name. Two or three sentences in your own words are enough. ✍

Who to write to

A valentine isn't only for couples. Send one to your mother, a friend, a colleague, a teacher or someone who hasn't heard warm words in a long time.

A short handwritten line or chat message often means more than an expensive gift. Try one sentence with a specific reason you are grateful. ❤

Staying safe around charity appeals

Before paying, make sure you arrive through a link from the foundation's official channels. Scammers copy the names of charity campaigns and ask for transfers to personal cards.

A real foundation publishes reports on results and legal details. If you are rushed or asked to type card details into a chat, stop and verify the information on the organization's own site. 🔎