We already knew Ron Darling stood up for his catcher, and today Stacy Podelski @StacyPodelski) has a wonderful piece at Examiner.com on Darling's work with Habitat For Humanity. Rather than spending time and cash on compulsory and often hollow pseudo-romantic gestures, Darling is getting his hands dirty and calloused for a great cause this Valentine's Day weekend:

Instead of going to a great restaurant or giving the flowers-the giving of your time for others –I think is just a beautiful gesture that any human can make to another. That is what we are trying to do-I grew up in different homes scattered around and I know how important it is to have a stable home environment that is all we are trying to provide for these hard working people.

Good for Ronnie and everyone else affiliated with the Mets (and elsewhere) who gives selflessly of their time or their billfold to folks in need. To learn more about Habitat For Humanity or to make a donation, visit the website for their NYC affiliate.