As you and your child prepare for Valentine’s this year, don’t forget to send some love to the children being treated at DMC Children’s Hospital.

Catching Fireflies is asking adults and children to donate unsigned handmade Valentine’s cards.  The cards will be collected, signed by DMC Children’s Hospital staff and distributed to patients.  Last year, approximately 1,500 cards brightened the day of children at the hospital.

This year, in order to help collect even more cards, Catching Fireflies will give each person donating 3 or more cards, and making a purchase at the store, a very special hand-crafted necklace.

To make a difference, bring your handmade Valentine’s cards to a local Catching Fireflies store by February 12th.

Valentine’s is such a fun holiday for grownups and kids!  While we don’t need an excuse to say “I love you,” it’s nice to have a day dedicated to it.

Whether you’re looking for an activity to complete with your kids, or just a little something to keep them occupied while you steal a kiss from your sweetheart, here’s a list of our favorite, free, printables (we’re sneaking in some educational ones too!):

4-in-1 Activity Sheet: Word search, tic-tac-toe and more

Pirate Valentines: Argh, Matey!

Printable Jigsaws: A variety of jigsaws to print and make

Dora the Explorer Valentines: Te Amo means I Love You

Pop-Up Heart Card: Requires strong scissor skills

Valentine’s Math Maze: Solve the addition problems to reveal the message!

The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House presents an “Enchanted Evening”  from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb .13. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a romantic dinner and tour of the of the estate in Grosse Pointe Shores.

Live piano music, wine and roses set the romantic scene where guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner starting with mixed greens with grape tomatoes, caramelized onion, toasted pine nuts, crumbled blue cheese and sherry vinaigrette. The main course is a savory filet mignon wrapped in a puff pastry with mushroom duxelle and topped with a bordelaise sauce or a fresh salmon filet topped with a light buerre blanc sauce. The meal is topped off with a decadent white and dark chocolate mousse torte.

Following dinner, guests will tour the magnificent home during an elegant candlelit evening tour.

An “Enchanted Evening” is $45 per person ($40 for members) and reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased by calling (313) 844-4222.

Grand, romantic gifts and sweet little sentiments should be as unique as the recipient, so skip the malls and big box stores this Valentine’s Day and try giving a gift that gives back.

WWJ Newsradio 950 and The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) are launching an online auction to raise donations to help local families keep warm this winter. All auction proceeds will benefit the 7^th Annual Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW and there are dozens of items available that would make the perfect Valentine’s surprise. Samplings of ideas are listed below. All items are available for bid from Feb. 2-11 at www.wwj.com.

For the Romantic:

· Learn to cook as a couple with a cooking class for two from J. Baldwin’s Restaurant & Premier Catering.

· Travel to Boyne Highlands Resort to enjoy a ski package including one night’s lodging, a pair of unlimited lift tickets and breakfast for two.

· Take dance lessons with a four-session package from Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

· Check out dozens of additional gift certificates from area restaurants to theaters available for grabs.

For the Single and Ready to Mingle:

· Laugh yourself silly with 10 admissions to Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in downtown Royal Oak.

· Gather 10 friends for a walking bar tour of Detroit (tour provided by Inside Detroit).

· Roller skate your worries away with 10 friends, courtesy of Skate World of Troy.

· Enjoy a private wine tasting and tour with 12 friends at Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery in Traverse City.

For Families:

· Have a musical experience with 4 admission tickets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

· Cuddle up to a new furry friend with a $300 certificate toward a puppy or $100 toward supplies from Petland in Twelve Oaks Mall.

· Bid to win other great gifts for the whole family including tickets to the Detroit Zoo, Ann Arbor’s Hands On Museum or to see “Elmo’s Green Thumb” live at the Fox Theater.

If you bid and win any of these items, not only will your friends or sweetie be impressed with your gift, but you will feel great knowing that the money was spent on a great cause!