You don’t have to wait until Valentine’s Day to share your heart for the community.

A local nonprofit organization is hoping to capitalize on the season when many celebrate love to garner support for its effort to help students in the Twin Counties succeed in school.

One of the primary goals of the Rocky Mount region’s Communities In Schools program is to empower youth who are on their way to becoming first-generation college students.

With the economy where it’s at right now and where it’s been for quite a while, encouraging area youth to stay in school and to pursue a higher education is perhaps the most valuable concept we can help instill.

As vital as that mission is, these are difficult times to fund such an effort. In tight times, needs are higher. But fundraising can be harder because giving to others is more likely to fall by the wayside.

Organizers are hoping for a boost from local businesses and from those who have a heart for local youth.

The aptly named Have a Heart for Communities In Schools Campaign kicked off last week at the organization’s headquarters on Pearl Street and will culminate on Valentine’s with a morning celebration at the Down East Partnership for Children.

The Communities In Schools campaign is the perfect opportunity for the community to show our support for education and to invest in our region’s future.

What a great time to pour out our hearts for an excellent cause that has proved its worth in spades.

Those who wish to give to the campaign can call Communities In Schools of the Rocky Mount Region at 442-9991.