Getting Kids to Help

I'm struggling (again) with getting the kids to help with chores. Maybe I'd do better if I was checking in here daily/weekly. I've also been thinking I should ask around my neighborhood to see what the other parents are doing that works. One of our neighbors (a dad) said that he hasn't done the dishes in years or something like that. We need to find out what they are doing. It's like the kids avoid me. When I start telling them to help, they either go hide in their room and draw or read (good things to do, but not good to avoid my instructions) or they start running around playing with the toddlers, which I also appreciate but again, they are avoiding my instructions. They are going to want help today or tomorrow with Valentines... I will try to remember to use it as an opportunity to teach a lesson: You guys want helps from Dad and I, and we need help from you.