After all that we’ve been through in 2020, perhaps this Valentine’s Day ought to be celebrated in an all-new way.

Instead of mindlessly buying flowers and chocolates or making restaurant bookings for candlelit dinners, how about making it a meaningful one — not just for your loved ones and yourself, but also those less fortunate.

Starting a full month before the actual day, from Jan 14, you can show your care for vulnerable seniors who may not have a support system and have suffered the most from isolation as a result of the pandemic.

There are two activities you can join in the Love In 10 initiative. Organised by TFD, an events agency co-founded by local radio personality Mark van Cuylenburg, better known as The Flying Dutchman, the initiative will be held at the Singapore Sports Hub. Love In 10 reaches out to those in need, while enabling us to come together as a community to stay active.

Score a perfect 10

Round up the whole family to work out and do good together. PHOTO: TFD

Are you a weekend warrior or regular fitness bunny? Either way, you can still take part in Love In 10, which has virtual and in-person options.

If you are a weekend warrior strapped for time, Love In 10’s mini fitness challenge, which takes approximately just 10 minutes to complete, will be your ideal option. 

Register online and head down to the OCBC Square of Singapore Sports Hub on Jan 30 and 31, where you will put your fitness to the test. Participants will be required to complete 10 different types of exercises, such as lunges, sit-ups, jumping jacks and squats. 

To ensure that there is minimal contact in between participants, participants will each carry out the exercises in their individuals pods. 

The organisers of the event have set a collective community goal of burning 100,000 calories over the month, and will donate food hampers to charity organisation Food From The Heart once the goal is met. So the more calories you burn, the more packs will be donated, which will be distributed to needy seniors on Valentine’s Day. 

The more you work out, the more food hampers will be donated to those in need. PHOTO: TFD

This mini fitness course is fit for children too, so bring the little ones along — this will be a good opportunity for them to get some exercise, while learning the importance of helping the less fortunate.

If you exercise regularly, then the virtual component of the Love In 10 initiative will be a walk in the park for you.

Simply sign up to be part of the initiative and tag @10ve.challenge on Instagram with the hashtag #lovein10 for every workout that your fitness tracker registers as having more than 100 calories burnt over the campaign period between Jan 14 and Feb 14. 

You can also round up your crew or make it a sweaty date with your partner via free F45 classes on Zoom. The gym will hold virtual sessions every Wednesday from Jan 20 to Feb 10, where you and your friends can rack up the calorie count together. The more you burn, the more hampers will be donated.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be an over-commercialised holiday. Make this year’s celebration be about spreading love and sending hope to the vulnerable amongst us within the community. And if you become healthier whilst doing so, you can consider it to be an act of self-love. Cupid would approve.

For more information on the initiative and how to sign up, visit TFD’s website.