Showing Love to Your Community on Valentine’s Day

Can we let you in on a little secret? We haven’t always loved Valentine’s Day. But we finally discovered the secret to making it amazing. You see, Valentine’s Day is also our birthday. And sometimes having your birthday on a nationally recognized holiday just doesn’t feel very special. But we realized as we got older that when we made it about others instead of about ourselves, it felt special no matter what. Give it a try! In fact, Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to share some love with your community. We’ve got five ideas to involve the whole family.

1. DELIVER FLOWERS TO SENIORS: Take bouquets of flowers to share with seniors at assisted living centers. Many seniors spend a lot of time alone, without spouses (or other support groups) who may have passed away or aren’t able to visit on a regular basis. Valentine’s Day can feel lonely and sad. Help them know they aren’t forgotten and that someone cares. If you have time, sit with them and talk or do a craft with them.
2. RECOGNIZE A COMMUNITY WORKER: Is there a community worker who you’ve noticed working extra hard lately? Show them some love! Whether it’s a postal worker, the mayor, a police officer or fire fighter, do something kind for them. Decorate your mailbox or their office doors with hearts and leave a nice, handwritten Valentine telling them thank you.
3. HELP A LOCAL CHARITY OR ORGANIZATION: Either volunteer your time or collect needed items for local women’s shelters, animal shelters, or food banks!
4. CLEAN UP LITTER: Clean up trash at your local park. What better way is there to show that you love where you live than keeping it clean? If you really want to go the extra mile, contact your local parks and rec office and ask how to adopt a park.
5. GET YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN SHARING WHY THEY LOVE YOUR TOWN: Make a giant paper heart and put it in a public area downtown. Have community members each write down what they love about your community. Put the heart on display for everyone to see after it is finished.

Happy Valentine’s Day!