Check In with Lonely Hearts and Others on Valentine’s Day

Valentine season is not just for romantic love. 

There are two paper red hearts that hang on a cupboard in my kitchen as a reminder that there are several people living alone who need a hug or a kind gesture this Valentine’s Day.

Strangers’ names are written on the bright, cut-out hearts. I don’t know them, but I have their addresses (also inscribed on the hearts) and will soon put Valentine’s Day cards in the mail for these two people.

I’ll ask my sons to write a line or two to, wishing them a good day and letting them know that people — even strangers — are thinking of them on this day.

I plucked those little heart ornaments from a “Heart Tree” at my church Saturday afternoon. The Rev. Don Demmer encouraged the attendees to visit the tree and select a heart, each with the name of a shut-in and his or her address on it.

“We must remember that there are several shut-ins living near us,” Demmer said. “So it would be great if we could send them a kind wish for Valentine’s Day.”

As I watched the parishioners select their hearts from the tree’s branches, I was reminded that the human heart is always in one condition or another — and I don’t mean medically. I’m talking broken, splintered, whole, happy, sad, romantic, fulfilled, light, heavy, joyful. Our hearts are sure to feel all these things at various points along life’s path. And for those whose names hang on this tree in the back of the church, well, many of their hearts may very well be lonely this Feb. 14.

I hope the mail carrier is busy this week, delivering lots of Valentine’s Day wishes to these lonely hearts.

Remember, shut-ins are just one group among thousands upon thousands in need.

Here are some goodwill ideas you can act on now, in the name of Valentine’s Day. Even if it means marking your calendar for a fundraiser or event down the road, the week of Valentine's Day is a great time to decide to start thinking with your heart all year long.

Here are a few goodwill ideas that would surely put a smile on Cupid’s face.      

SUPPLIES NEEDED — Donate items to the Faith in Action food pantry serving Chelsea and Dexter. The pantry needs items such as cereal, juice, crackers, shampoo, conditioner and laundry soap. For more information, visit www.faithinaction1.org.

PROVIDE A MEAL — There are plenty of elderly residents in Dexter who are in need of assistance through the Meals on Wheels program. If you have time in your busy schedule, donate a few hours to deliver a hot meal to your neighbor. Call 734-426-5397 for more information.

• NET SOME LOVE — Youngsters and teens can also get into the giving act. Just look around for opportunities, like the Troy High School Boys’ Lacrosse program did recently. The program just announced that it will hold a charity game for Metro Detroit-based Angels of Hope.

The organization’s Steve York attended a team meeting recently to explain to the lacrosse players what Angels of Hope does. It was up to team captains to discuss with teammates the feasibility of a charity game. The group unanimously agreed to hold the event (date to be determined, will be posted on the lacrosse teams' Facebook page — facebook.com/troycoltsLAX) for this special program. Angels of Hope provides financial assistance to children and those who love and care for them as they battle cancer (their own or that of a parent).