By Corbin McGuire, Editor in Chief
Valentine’s Day offers those in a budding college romance an opportunity to show their sweetheart just show much they love them, whether it is treating them to a meal at the University Dining Hall (UDH) or professing one’s affection at the Truth Wall.
For some students, this holiday is one met with disdain if their future life partner has yet to be found. While they could “treat themselves” to a pint of Häagen-Dazs ice cream from Catie’s Café, that will likely lead to a sad night in the dorms, alone. This Valentine’s Day, single or otherwise, try showing someone new some love by donating time to one of these volunteer opportunities:
1. Participate in the #TakeAStandLou Event
In 2014, 7,380 Louisvillians were homeless at some point, according to louhomeless.org. That’s roughly double Bellarmine’s student population this school year. Join the Louisville Coalition for the Homeless for their second #TakeAStandLou event.
The event was created by the Coalition for the Homeless to spread awareness about homelessness in Louisville. At 5 p.m. on Feb. 18, people across the city will hold signs with messages such as “I have a home, but I’m here to take a stand for someone who does not.”
This community awareness event offers an opportunity for Louisvillians to show they are taking a stand against homelessness and raise awareness by inviting others to do the same. Interested students must fill out a form at http://louhomeless.org/?p=3862.
2. Go on a Food Recovery
For students wanting to do something a little closer to home, attending a food recovery with the Bellarmine Food Recovery Network (BFRN) is a quick way to help make a large impact in the Louisville community.
Volunteers meet a food recovery director at the University Dining Hall at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and will be asked to help load and transport pans of food to Wayside Christian Mission or Volunteers of America. Recoveries generally last half an hour and any students interested in signing up must contact BFRN Co-director Austin Adam at aadam01@bellarmine.edu.
3. Apply for an Impact Grant
While Bellarmine offers a series of many small volunteer options throughout the school year, it is possible that an idea of service is beyond what has been imagined.
Students who want to design their own initiatives and make an impact on the Louisville in a positive way should apply for an Impact Grant. Impact Grants “build upon the foundation that with creative ideas, passion, and a small amount of money… the possibilities to impact change are endless,” according to bellarmine.edu.
Funding for such projects ranges from $50.00 to $500.00. Amounts are requested through an application that is then reviewed by a panel of faculty, staff and students. Students wanting to apply may contact penglert@bellarmine.edu for a copy of the Impact Grant proposal form.
This Valentine’s Day, the ways to show people love, and maybe even make a positive change in the community, are endless. Instead of a dinner out with a significant other or a night of watching rom-coms alone, consider one of these opportunities and make an impact for which cupid and his arrows would be proud.