It’s befitting the Sparkle Network’s Comedy Night on Feb. 8 at the Emerald Theater is held annually around Valentine’s Day, since it conjures up feelings that are both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

“We have four charities that will benefit this year,” said Moe Lietz of Rochester Hills, founder of the Sparkle Network and one of four comedians including Chris Young, Justin Divozzo and Diego Attanasio performing.

Every year since Lietz and her troupe of comedians started doing the event a variety of charities throughout Macomb and Oakland counties have benefited from the fundraiser.

One such charity is the Great Lakes Burn Camp.

While it’s heartbreaking the incidents that bring a child to attend the camp, it’s a joy to see how the summer experience, supported by a corps of volunteers including firefighters and other first responders, fosters healing, self-esteem, confidence and general well-being for burn-injured children.

It’s also heartwarming to know proceeds from Comedy Night will help to support this mission to provide unconditional love and acceptance for the campers.

“Last year we raised $6,500,” said Lietz, who started the Sparkle Network as a way of supporting local causes and to support signature events and programs for young people including its Dream, Believe and Do Scholarship, which will also receive a portion of the proceeds from Comedy Night.

The scholarship is given to high school seniors in Macomb and Oakland counties who have completed 40 hours of community service and have a dream they believe in.

The other two charities benefiting from #Heartbreakers Comedy Night include:

Susie Q’s Kids: Comfort Bags for Kids — The nonprofit works to support the mental health and well-being of children in the community through a variety of services that include creating comfort bags that feature panda bears, blankets, socks and other essential items for children in hospitals, hospice, shelters, foster care, grief centers, schools, camps or wherever there might be a need. The group also serves as an advocate for suicide awareness and prevention and individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Meadowbrook Center for Learning — Based in Rochester Hills, Meadowbrook Center is a nonprofit dedicated to removing barriers to learning, fostering life success for all individuals and promoting community awareness and understanding of learning challenges such as ADHD, dyslexia and autism.

Besides being a great fundraiser it’s a hoot-of-an-opportunity to treat your Valentine to a fun night out.

Tickets for are $30 each.

This includes the show and a brown bag of snacks, plus the infamous Comedy Night swag bag.

However, Lietz encourages buying them as a couple ($50 pair) or a group of 8 ($300 dinner and table on main floor), unless you’re the outgoing kind who enjoys meeting new people.

“We seat everyone by tables,” she said. “So, I have to play matchmaker every year to those who buy only one ticket.”

Tickets can be purchased online at sparklenetwork.org/heartbreakers-2024-comedy-event/. Once you purchase a ticket you will be asked to designate what participating charity your ticket money will go to.

The Emerald Theatre is at 31 North Walnut St., Mount Clemens. For more information visit sparklenetwork.org/.