Just in time for Valentine’s Day, University of Wisconsin-Platteville students joined with the Confucius Institute and local businesses, using chocolate to teach and unite unique families.  Family Connections of Southwest Wisconsin held its first “Family Date Night at Chocolate Fest” on Feb. 13. The center invited local families to attend the event, which had activities, demonstrations, a bake sale and silent auction.  Family Connections invited UW-Platteville students to provide children’s activities at Chocolate Fest. Junior elementary education majors Sarah McCraw and Logan Thole volunteered for their K-4 Methods class. “We wrote a lesson plan for our class, presented it and then applied it to the event,” Thole said.  Both students agreed that the opportunity to volunteer at this event provided them with insight into elementary education.  “It allows us to use classroom knowledge with real-world experience,” McCraw said.  The UW-Platteville Confucius Institute also took part in the event. The institute had a table with crafts, calligraphy and jianzi (Chinese hacky sack) demonstrations. The Confucius Institute aimed to share their culture with families in celebration of the Chinese New Year.  Executive Director of Family Connections Sabrina Earl has been employed with the organization for a little more than a year. Her main goal as director is to make an impact on the community and provide a positive difference to families.  “It’s a fun event for family engagement and we want to support that in a loving environment,” Earl said.  Local businesses showed their support at the event with silent auction items and the baked goods sale. Some items up for auction included tickets to the UW-Platteville men’s basketball senior night game, gift cards to local businesses, a homemade bags set and many more.  All proceeds from Chocolate Fest benefited the programs Family Connections provides to local families as well as resources for families in need.  A non-profit organization, Family Connections, helps to provide assistance to families throughout southwestern Wisconsin. The center serves families in six counties and includes Child Care Resource and Referral services as well as Family Resource services. The center also collects items such as diapers, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies and gift cards for needy families.