Money can’t buy love, but it can be used to create kindness. WSU students celebrated the day Wednesday on campus with flowers, candy, poems and even hot dogs. Some student organizations saw the consumer opportunity of Valentine’s Day to try to raise money for respective charities and events. “I totally realize it’s a Hallmark deal to make people feel bad if they’re not in a relationship,” Kari Switzer, a junior communication major and Advertising Club member, said while selling roses on Glenn Terrell Mall. The Advertising Club bought into the consumerism to try to raise money for a trip to a conference, catching last-minute Valentine’s shoppers, she said. The English Club, also using the holiday as a vehicle for capital, were selling “messages in bottles,” which were actually famous love poems and little jars of red-hot candies. They were raising money to cover the cost of a writer’s workshop. “This is a good chance to have the English Club shine,” said Claire Mikalson, a sophomore English major. “Valentine’s Day is a good chance to get chocolate.” Valentine’s Day has become a versatile holiday. WSU student groups aren’t the only ones trying to catch some of Valentine’s Day momentum; many national organizations have co-opted the day for their own agendas. Not only is Feb. 14 a day for lovers, but it is also National Donor Day for organ and tissue donors. Another celebration is V-Day, created by The Vagina Monologues, reserved to recognize – and work to stop – violence against women and girls. All these causes are valid and necessary. With all the money being spent on bombs and war, it’s OK to spend a little on some love, and why not support a good cause while we’re at it? After the winter holidays, Valentine’s Day breaks up the monotony of the new year and the dreary weather with some much-needed happiness.

Gage Lawhon, a sophomore education major and English Club member, said he loves the holiday because it’s a day to celebrate love in “a world full of blowing people up.” Jon Coyne, a recent WSU graduate, was on the mall handing out origami flowers. Coyne was not attached to any group.

“I’m doing it to spice things up,” he said. “ ‘Random acts of kindness’ is what I call it.” This kindness was something that blossomed throughout campus Wednesday. There are so many scary things happening in the world and in our community, such as rapes and police brutality, so a day dedicated to love, albeit commercialized with an emphasis on the romance, is refreshing. Valentine’s Day haters will rebut this with their canned argument that they don’t need one silly, designated day to show love when they share it all year. However, there is never enough love in the world – in one year or even one day. Valentine’s Day has sketchy origins and questionable motives, but it is a great day to stop and think about how simple things, like sugar and a smile, can make our campus environment a little friendlier.