Red balloons, pink streamers and a desire to help others transformed the Louis Room into a Valentine’s Day gala Sunday night for about 60 Special Olympics athletes.

About 20 Northwestern students helped with the Valentine’s Day Dance, one of two major events leading up to the Olympics themselves on May 5.

They also are hosting a fund-raiser event at Hi-Tops Cafe this Thursday for the Olympics.

On Sunday the athletes took occasional breaks from dancing in Norris University Center to decorate cookies and chocolate cupcakes with pink sprinkles and frosting.

Many made red, heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cards for their loved ones and participated in the cakewalk, a form of musical chairs where they competed for cupcakes.

They also posed for photographs with Willie the Wildcat, who made a special guest appearance at the dance.

Running from one table to the next, attempting to speak with as many athletes as possible, Weinberg junior Alicia Meyer said the dance helped bring NU students closer to the athletes.

“It’s a good opportunity for the mentally handicapped athletes to get out there and have some fun,” said Meyer, one of the event’s co-chairwomen, who has worked for the Special Olympics since her freshman year. “We try to provide them with a social outlet so that they can develop social skills and friendships.”

Dan Dreeben, 26, a Special Olympics athlete from Evanston who works at Whole Foods, said that although he enjoyed the dance, it also helped get him excited for competing in the 50-yard dash, the softball throw and the four-man relay at the Olympics.

“It’s fun and I’m enjoying every moment,” Dreeben said, taking a break from busting a move on the dance floor. “I like to dance, but I like putting on the show even better,” he said.

Merrill Kalin, 38, an athlete who lives in Chicago, agreed that the Valentine’s Day Dance and other Special Olympic events help bring people together.

“Last year they got me dancing with about 17 other dancers,” he said.

Kalin said he has won three gold medals in the Special Olympics since 1980 and participates in events such as the long jump, the relay, the 50-yard dash, shot put and softball.

Former Special Olympics athlete Shawn Brutt, of Northfield, said he enjoyed the competition of the Olympics for seven years but stopped because he needed to work.

“I got to meet a lot of new friends and show my strength,” Brutt said. “I wish that I was still doing it. I try to work out, but I don’t get to do much anymore.”

Northwestern students who helped with cookie decorating and card-making at the dance said they participate in Special Olympics events to have fun and work for a cause.

“I coached Special Olympics last year and I had a really good time, so I decided to do it again this year,” said Weinberg junior Amanda Knudson. “Special Olympics is a good organization because it brings ‘normal’ people together with the mentally handicapped in an environment where they can learn from one another.”

Music freshman Carly Mohler said her involvement in Special Olympics helped her get involved with a “best buddy” program at a home for people with disabilities in Chicago. She said she was expecting her buddy to show up at the dance.

“The people are great, they’re awesome,” she said. “This is one of those clubs that everyone’s committed to, and there’s a real sense of a family.”