No Valentine this year?  Take action and spread the love anyway.  Life is far from just being on the receiving end of chocolates and roses.  Here’s how you can find love deep in your heart and learn to not dwell on what you may not have right now.

Help deliver homemade cards drawn, pasted and created by children to the elderly, invalids, the lonely and the homeless.

We have a wonderful home-grown organization here in Charlotte called Love InAction, and say, according to their Facebook page, “While others are out perusing jewelry stores or hitting up the local flower shop with Valentine’s Day approaching, Love in Action aims on making February 14th a memorable day for nursing home residents and homeless individuals who may be otherwise forgotten

Their goal is, “simply to replace the feeling of despair and loneliness in those most forgotten…. we use children’s artwork, handmade cards from toddlers to teens, to express the message of love. These cards restore hope, boost happiness, give confidence and penetrate the hearts of the receiver. Nothing warms the heart more than hearing someone say ‘I love you’. Our biggest day of OCCUPYING our city is February 14th “Valentine’s Day”.

Taking part does not require a financial donation. All that is needed is a child’s message of encouragement and a little creativity. Children learn that they are important and that they can make a difference…simply with a crayon.”

How simple, and how powerful. 

Now that the cards are all made and collected, “Adult volunteers and area children (are needed to) distribute the ‘I love you’ cards to the nursing homes. Later, more volunteers will distribute cards, as well as a meal, to the homeless in uptown Charlotte. The love experienced is priceless.”

Love in Action needs volunteers to distribute cards on Valentine’s Day. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. Feb.14 at Dean & Deluca, 6903 Phillips Place Court.  For information, visit www.facebook.com/LuvINaction.

Here’s some great press from The Charlotte Observer, too!