Valentine’s Day can be more than just a candlelit dinner accompanied by roses and chocolates.

Love, the day’s ultimate theme, can be shown in a variety of ways. It emanates from the sparkle of a diamond, lingers on the edge of a kiss and pleasures the tongue like a rich chocolate delicacy.

Love is also a heart that gives to a community with labor and sacrifice. Valentine’s Day can be a perfect opportunity to spend a few hours helping out the Volunteer Center of Story County or participating in the 10,000 Hours Show program.

Volunteer Center of Story County

Emphasizing “People, Citizenship, Community and Quality,” the Volunteer Center of Story County’s mission encourages people of all ages and careers to give their effort and time to reach out to the community and environment.

Amanda Martin, community relations manager at the volunteer center and participant in Americorps Vista, a volunteer service organization, encourages ISU student participation.

“Volunteering is a great way to help people and establish lifelong relationships,” she said.

An occasion like Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity.

“A lot of people in the community don’t have a significant other to spend time with, and being a volunteer is a great way to help them feel important,” she said.

Martin stressed that the commitment is easy to work around a student’s routine.

“Volunteering is flexible and works easily with a busy student schedule,” she said. “Some opportunities can be done once, and others may be done up to once a week.”

10,000 Hours Show Program

Iowa State is a member of the 10,000 Hours Show credit system, which rewards students who work as volunteers. Its purpose is to encourage students to use their practical skills and reach out to the community.

Jamie Seeman, senior in agronomy and president of the 10,000 Hours Show, emphasizes the importance of volunteering.

“It is very rewarding and a great way to reach others in the community,” Seeman said.

“Personally, it opened my eyes to the real need in the community and offers students in all majors a way to help out. For example, one hour of volunteer time and effort is worth $18.77,” she said.

The program emphasizes the personal reward that comes from the experience and offers the incentive of a free ticket to the Reel Big Fish concert scheduled for April 14 in the Durham Great Hall in the Memorial Union. Volunteers can sign up through the Volunteer Center of Story County or the student organization’s Web site.

Opportunities Around Ames

ISU students can find numerous opportunities that fit their majors and interests. Students with interests in families, children and caring for elderly can look at Meals on Wheels, SHARE food distribution and disabilities services.

Interested in communication and media? Consider serving as an emergency radio operator.

Majoring in environmental studies or biology? Count bald eagle nests, participate in frog and toad observation or monitor the quality of local ponds and lakes.

Do you speak a foreign language? Participate in a buddy system that links you with a foreign exchange student or help design online Spanish courses.

For the sports enthusiast, there’s the opportunity to help coach an Ames girls’ softball team or assist the Arc of Story County in basketball or track and field events.

Kiley McLaughlin, volunteer and internship coordinator for Ames Youth and Shelter Services, emphasizes the numerous opportunities for students who want to earn service learning credits or simply help the community.

“Volunteering is a great way to reach out to the community, and it makes you feel better, in addition to adding to a student’s college experience,” McLaughlin said.

“We have tons and tons of ways students can volunteer. We are very flexible and offer positions for night and daytime activities.”

Youth and Shelter Services offers positions in childcare and tutoring, which education majors may find helpful. “KidzDayz” takes place Feb. 23-24 at Iowa State and is a child fun fair with face-painting, games and crafts. McLaughlin emphasized that volunteers are always needed for events like this.

“In addition to being fun, volunteering makes a great resume builder,” she said.