Today marks Valentine’s Day 2016. Traditionally, this is a day for romance, a day of roses, chocolates and cards for those we hold dear.

However, there is a host of local residents taking this holiday to a new level.

First, United Way of Central Kansas, Meals On Wheels, ElderCare Inc., RSVP of Central Kansas and Golden Belt Home, Health and Hospice teamed up to sponsor the first-ever Boxes of Love program. Items donated by community members were collected and boxed up in pretty red packages by athletes from Barton Community College to be delivered by RSVP and ElderCare volunteers today.

There were 150 of these boxes filled with toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap, candy, socks, lotions, stationary, photo books, magnifying glasses and pill boxes. There was also candy and other items.

These Valentines Day gifts went to seniors who are homebound. Sadly, these folks may not otherwise have anyone to share the day with them.

No, it’s not romance, but this project demonstrates a tremendous amount of love for those in need.

Secondly, last week a group of students in the Reading Road Maps after-school club at Park Elementary School made Valentines for Great Bend Police Department officers. One thanked a specific officer for finding the student’s bicycle.

Again, this falls outside the traditional way of observing this occasion. But, it is sure to have an impact and mean a lot to the recipients.

We have gone through some dark times as a state and nation. There is plenty of room to spread a little love around, and these examples are showing how we are doing just that.

Dale Hogg