Valentine’s Day is about love, but there’s different types of love than the one usually promoted at this time of year.
For Ruidoso Middle School teacher Yelena Temple, the season can be about giving just as much as at Christmas.
“Show your love for those in need,” Temple said. “Valentine’s day isn’t about spending hundreds of dollars on flowers. People need toothpaste.”
Temple got her students to put their money and donations where her mouth is by collecting every day items needed by residents at the NEST. “I just thought of it, and the kids really took to it,” Temple said.
Ruidoso sixth through eighth graders collected 225 items, ranging from toothpaste to socks to Band-Aids, each with its own slogan and theme.
For example, “I’m stuck on you Valentine,” for the Band-Aids, “Valentine, you knock my socks off,” for the socks.
Each day of the week leading up to Valentine’s day had a different theme and different item to collect.
The one item they didn’t collect was lotion, only because Temple couldn’t find a suitable phrase.
She’s already found it for next year.
“’Read my lips Valentine, you soften my heart,’” Temple reported. “We’ll use that when we collect lotion and Chapstick.”
Yes, next year. Temple wants this to be an annual event for the NEST.
“These kids should give things away that are needed,” Temple said. “We have so much fun with it.”