When Evolve Life Group hosts its annual Sweetheart Dance, people can expect more than those two words imply, said Joe Bachman, director of the group.

It will be held on Valentine's Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, but it's open to anyone, whether they have a date or not.

"This is a community dance," Bachman shared. "We use the word 'dance' loosely. There's a lot of people that just come and see people they haven't seen for a long time. It's a great night of community fellowship. You can certainly dance, but you also can just sit and listen to music and tap your feet!"

The event will be held at the Hellam Fire Hall, 163 E. Market St., Hallam, from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Parking will be available in a lot at the rear of the building.

"We will have non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for a freewill offering, along with a live band," Bachman said of the festivities.

The event has been held for more than 15 years.

"It started out as a fundraiser for our youth group to do mission trips, and now it is sponsored by the Evolve Life Group," Bachman explained. "We are pleased to have The Modern Age band performing, which is a group that started back in the '70s. They have a great following, and we are honored that they do this annual event for us to raise money for different organizations."

Donations will be accepted for Veteran's Helping Hand, a York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and resources for veterans in need.

"They offer a range of services aimed at assisting veterans with their physical, mental and emotional well-being, helping them navigate life after service," Bachman said.

Along with the freewill offering, a 50/50 cash giveaway will support Veteran's Helping Hand as well.

Bachman created Evolve Life Group in 2023. It's open to people age 45 and older, and it operates on three core values: supporting ourselves, supporting others and supporting the community.

For the first tenet, Bachman noted that positive mental health is a priority for the group. The members fulfill that goal through the second value, which they deliver via monthly events and outings, offering opportunities for people to create and sustain friendships.

For the last value, the group focuses on making an impact locally.

"We are very passionate about helping people in our own community," Bachman said. "We have done things such as staining and painting decks, painting a barn, baking cookies for our local 911 call center, painting kindness rocks, providing a community meal and a 'Family Feud' game for first responders."

There is no charge to attend the Sweetheart Dance, and Bachman hopes anyone who is interested in meeting new friends or having a fun night out will consider getting a ticket.

"This is a freewill offering event. If you're looking for a nice evening out and don't have a lot of money, this would be a place to come for a great time," he said. "If you are blessed to be able to donate, we would love to raise money for Veteran's Helping Hand."

Tickets must be reserved for the dance by Saturday, Feb. 7. To reserve tickets, call 717-424-1136 and provide your name and the number of people attending the dance with you. For more information on Evolve Life Group, search for the organization on Facebook or email evolve92023@gmail.com. The group currently has two chapters, one in eastern York and one in the western Lancaster County area.