Whether you are single, or attached, why not celebrate Valentines Day with a gift that gives back?Megan Stohner has a great roundup of ideas in her post, What are you spending on this Valentine's Day - chocolates or charity? on the Case Foundation blog, Let's Talk.
Lots of abandoned dogs and cats could use your love this Valentine's Day. On February 14, The Escondido Humane Society will offer half off the regular adoption fee for all animals older than 6 months with any chocolate brown coloring. You can find animals to adopt near you using Petfinder.
Love animals, but can't adopt one right now? You can purchase a gift from the ASPCA, or Humane Society of Canada's online stores. The Lil Bee blog also has 4 ways you can help animals in her post, The Perfect Valentine's Day Gift.
In, A Valentine’s Day gift of real love on The West Australian, Tiffany Fox writes that this year she will giving, "A very special gift straight from my heart: blood." Fox is hoping it will help some of the victims of the fires in Victoria. If you're American, you can find a blood drive near you on the American Red Cross site.
Giving blood make you squeamish? Why not volunteer with your honey, or a group of pals in your community on Valentine's Day? You can search for volunteer opportunities on VolunteerMatch, Idealist, Social Actions, Network for Good, 1-800 Volunteer.org, Servenet.org, Volunteer Solutions, and GuideStar.
You could also make a donation in your Valentine's honor. Many organizations will provide you with a special card or e-card to let your Valentine know about your donation.
GlobalGiving, an organization that helps you contribute to grassroots charity projects around the world, is celebrating Valentine's Day with, "Operation: Give Love." When you make a donation to any GlobalGiving project, or buy a GlobalGiving Gift Card, after you check out, you can enter you and your friends in a raffle to win one of five floral bouquets from Organic Bouquet.
Finally, there's nothing wrong with gifts and chocolate! Check out what's available on Global Exchange's Fair Trade Store, and Original Good, World of Good's line of Fair Trade products. You can find out where to buy Fair Trade chocolate, wine and flowers on TransFair's Fall in Love with Fair Trade Certified page.
What are some other ideas for valentines that give back?
Cross-posted from BlogHer. Britt Bravo is a Big Vision Consultant.
Photo by Nu Ho from our wedding.
valentine
gfit
nonprofit
donate
volunteer
fair trade
