Valentine’s Day, originally a feast day for Saint Valentine, has evolved into a global celebration of love — be it romantic, familial, or self-love. People express appreciation through gifts like flowers and chocolates, enjoy special moments, and make heartfelt gestures to honour their loved ones.
But if you wish to ditch outings and do something meaningful, we have you covered!
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love by contributing or volunteering in ways that cherish love in all its forms – from caring for children and animals to supporting the environment and the elderly.
1. Help child labour survivors rebuild their lives
Despite being illegal since 1976, bonded child labour still forces thousands of children into harsh conditions, robbing them of education and a better future. D Sivakumar, once a child labourer himself, now works to rescue and rehabilitate survivors across 13 districts in Tamil Nadu. His team helps children access education, career guidance, essential documents, and government schemes.
For just Rs 500, you can provide a child labour survivor with a school kit — including books, stationery, and a bag — helping them take their first steps toward education.
Donate here and give a rescued child the chance to learn.
2. Gift ‘fur-ever’ protection to stray dogs
Rimjhim Joshi Shende runs ‘Pawsitivity’, an initiative that has safeguarded 20 lakh dogs in India with QR-enabled reflective collars designed to prevent road accidents. However, with a rapidly growing stray population, much more needs to be done.
This Valentine’s Day, we invite you to help provide 5,000 more dogs with a sense of belonging and ‘fur-ever’ protection. For just Rs 40, you can sponsor a collar for a stray dog and help save lives. Donate here.
3. Help beggars earn a life of dignity
Chandra Mishra, a former journalist from Odisha, relocated to Varanasi to establish Beggars Corporation. This initiative teaches beggars skills in stitching and bag-making. Their hand-crafted products are sold to hotels and multinational companies, providing them with a sustainable livelihood. At 60 years old, Chandra is helping impoverished families break free from begging and become entrepreneurs by crafting conference, laptop, and shopping bags.
By purchasing from Beggars Corporation, you support a ‘Begging-Free India’, and help transform lives through empowerment rather than charity. Explore their products here and witness the change they inspire.
4. Help survivors of violence and abuse
In 2001, Prasanna Gettu founded the International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC), an organisation dedicated to supporting women affected by domestic violence. Her advocacy focuses on empowering survivors, educating the community, and striving to build a society that does not tolerate violence.
PCVC continuously seeks committed individuals eager to contribute their time and skills. By volunteering, you can engage in a wide range of activities, which include accompanying clients to hospitals and job interviews, conducting skill-building training, such as spoken English, computer skills, and personal finance, facilitating recreational activities like yoga and Zumba, and assisting with photo and video documentation of activities.
Volunteer here to make a difference.
5. Help build a sustainable future for all
Kapil Sharma, originally from Raipur and now based in the US, founded ‘SayTrees’, a non-profit focused on urban and rural afforestation and lake rejuvenation. What began as a weekend initiative has blossomed into an active group of 100 volunteers conducting afforestation drives across India. Collectively, they have planted 3.8 million trees so far.
Since 2017, SayTrees has also focused on water conservation, rejuvenating 40 wells and six lakes. Kapil aims to restore 15 more lakes in Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, and Hyderabad before the upcoming monsoon.
You can volunteer with SayTrees to be part of this transformation. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s than planting a tree?
6. Help abandoned elderly live their golden years in peace
Yojana Gharat, founder of Smit Old Age Home and Care Foundation in Bhiwandi, Thane, has “adopted” over 3,500 abandoned elderly people, providing them with shelter, food, healthcare, and companionship.
Her commitment to treating each elder with dignity and love is evident in her daily activities, ranging from feeding and changing diapers to arranging medical treatments.
Despite challenges, she hopes to give them a permanent home so they can live with dignity. Your smallest contribution will help this dream become reality.
Donate here:
BANK NAME – ICICI BANK
TYPE – CURRENT ACCOUNT
A/C HOLDER – SMIT OLD AGE HOME AND CARE FOUNDATION
A/C NO. – 352505000625
IFSC CODE – ICIC0003525
BRANCH – KALHER, BHIWANDI ROAD, THANE
UPI – smithfoundation@icici
Edited by Khushi Arora.
