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Giving The Gift Of Love This Valentine's Day

Alexis Rothenberg, CBS62/CW50 Intern

Valentine's Day can be more than flowers and chocolate. This year organizations are getting together to raise money and awareness, all in the name of love.

Share The Love

Alternative for Girls (AfG) wants 'to redirect that passion [of Valentine's Day] towards celebrating love for our community.'   This year the non-profit is using the traditions of Valentine's Day to campaign their outreach program by selling "Share the Love" gift boxes filled with sea salt chocolate chip cookies from Avalon International Breads.  Alternative for Girls goal is to help homeless and high-risk women receive access and support as well as resources and opportunities to be safe, grow strong and make positive choices in their lives.  This $20 Share the Love gift box is a perfect gift for loved ones this Valentine's Day, uniting the holiday with the community around it.

If you have only a smile to give, give it to the people you love.

Mend on the Move is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help female survivors of abuse through the relaxing art of jewelry making. This year Mend is showing their love to these ladies with a Valentine's fundraiser: Love in Motion. Love in Motion features handmade jewelry, a silent auction, hors d'ouevres and a performance by Rochester Hills' singer-songwriter, Olivia Silent. Mend on the Move plans on using the benefits to help the women they work with. Love in Motion is happening on February 10th at 7pm in Beverly Hills, MI. To buy tickets check out EventBrite.

Love is blind only to the eyes. The heart sees everything clearly.

You can give some love to the American Heart Association by shopping at the annual Valentine Vendor and Craft Show on February 11th at Farmington's Groves Walker American Legion Hall from 11am to 4pm.  More than 30 vendors will display their wares and proceeds from the $2 admission fee will go to the American Heart Association.  The event is hosted by the Direct Selling Divas, a group of four high school friends who, thirty years later, have joined together to give back to the community.

Love surrounds us like light. We are warmed by the grace of our charity.

The Week of Love for Turning Point is happening after Valentine's Day to continue giving the gift of love to those in need. Turning Point is turning Valentine's Day into a week of events that can bring loved ones together and still have couples reach out to their communities. Join Turning Point on February 18th at 7:30pm for the Heartbreakers 3 Comedy Night benefit at Rosie O'Grady's in Chesterfield Township. The night includes dinner, auctioned items and raffle tickets for $20 a person along with some goodie bags. Turning Point is using the profits to support domestic abuse victims. Turning Point has been providing emergency support and prevention services for more than 35 years. To purchase tickets go to HeartComedy3

Love is in the air this month, so give a little extra this year for the people that need it the most.

Alexis Rothenberg is in her final semester at Eastern Michigan University. This April she will graduate with a Bachelors of Science after completing Eastern's Electronic Media and Film program. Throughout her four years at Eastern Michigan University, Alexis has discovered her passion for screen writing, producing and costume design.

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