5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Love is a powerful thing. It can transform a bad day into a good one; change the way we think; and even affect our physical and emotional health.
Children, in particular, need all the love they can get. Having the unconditional love and support of their family can directly influence a child’s self-esteem, confidence and willingness to take risks. Even newborn babies use love as a vital nutrient to build a healthy biology; love and touch have been scientifically proven to help a baby’s brain grow.*
Love can even combat disease. Children growing up in poor areas of the world are much more likely to have higher blood pressure, strokes, or diabetes later in life.** However, health risks diminish significantly if these children grow up in loving households.
This Valentine’s Day, we have created a list of 5 unique ways to celebrate the incredible power of love and share it with children who need it most:
5 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day and Help Children in Need
1. Mend a broken heart. Through February 14, you can support 2012 Honoree Dr. Nilas Young’s mission to provide life-saving heart surgeries for children who do not have access to cardiac care. Learn More >>
2. Gifts that give back. You don’t have to give up flowers and chocolate to make a difference. If you shop on Amazon Smile for your special Valentine’s Day gifts, 0.5% of your purchase goes back to your favorite charity! Shop Amazon Smile >>
3. Share the love. Help out at a local school, visit sick children in the hospital, spend a day at a foster home, volunteer at a homeless shelter…There are so many ways to share love with children and their families in your community.
4. Spread the word. Become an advocate for children in need by changing your Facebook profile picture on February 14. You can also help spread awareness by sharing photos on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Share >>
5. Send love letters. Not just to your special someone, but to everyone who has helped you grow into the person you are today. Send a heartfelt email to your favorite teacher; get out the art supplies to make a special Valentine’s Day card for your mom; or share one of our Valentine’s Day cards with friends and family on Facebook.
Thank you for helping vulnerable children worldwide feel healthy, happy and loved this Valentine’s Day!
Sources:
*Marian Diamond, Magic Trees of the Mind: How to Nurture Your Child’s Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth Through Adolescence.
**David R. Hamilton, Ph.D., Using Science to Inspire, drdavidhamilton.com