Christian Outreach in Action, a local nonprofit, hosted its fourth annual “Spread the Love” event – a one-day outreach initiative dedicated to sharing kindness, encouragement and hope throughout Long Beach — on the eve of Valentine’s Day.
Volunteers handed out paper hearts with handwritten messages and care packages to first responders, seniors, homeless people and other community members – from people walking their dogs to those waiting at bus stops – on Friday, Feb. 13, ahead of Valentine’s Day. The initiative took place throughout the day and began at the nonprofit’s headquarters in downtown Long Beach.
Christian Outreach in Action of Long Beach distributes paper hearts with loving, hand-written messages to underprivileged members of the community on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love” event celebrating Valentine’s Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteers from Christian Outreach in Action walk through downtown Long Beach handing out paper hearts with hand-written loving messages on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love Day” event in celebration of Valentine’s Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteers from Christian Outreach in Action in Long Beach hand members of the community paper hearts with loving, hand-written messages on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love” event in celebration of Valentine’s Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A volunteer from Christian Outreach in Action Hands out a paper heart on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love Day” event in celebration of Valentine’s Day in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Cathlene Caccavalla displays a paper heart with the hand-written message “God loves you…have hope” on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the Christian Outreach in Action’s annual event celebrating Valentine’s Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A volunteer from Christian Outreach in Action hands out goodie bags and paper hearts with hand-written messages on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love” event in honor of Valentine’s Day in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteers from Christian Outreach in Action display goodie bags and paper hearts with inspirational messages being distributed to underprivileged members of the community on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love” event in honor of Valentine’s Day in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteers from Christian Outreach in Action hand members of the community goodie bags and paper hearts with loving, hand-written messages on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love Day” event in celebration of Valentine’s Day in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteers from Christian Outreach in Action walk through downtown Long Beach handing out paper hearts with hand-written loving messages on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love Day” event in celebration of Valentine’s Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Community members raise paper hearts with loving messages distributed by Christian Outreach in Action on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s annual “Spreading Love” Valentine’s Day event. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteers from Christian Outreach in Action hand members of the community goodie bags and hearts with loving messages on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love Day” event in celebration of Valentine’s Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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Christian Outreach in Action of Long Beach distributes paper hearts with loving, hand-written messages to underprivileged members of the community on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, as part of the nonprofit’s “Spreading Love” event celebrating Valentine’s Day. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
This year, organizers aimed to distribute 5,000 paper hearts and care packages to the community.
The “Spread the Love” event brings together nonprofits, churches, schools, city officials and individual volunteers who help prepare and distribute the hearts and care packages. Their collective efforts illustrate the power of compassion and unity, organizers said.
Organizers said they hope this annual event shows that Valentine’s Day is not only about romantic love, but also an opportunity to create ripples of positivity and hope in one’s community.
Founded in 1981, Christian Outreach in Action has served the Long Beach community by providing critical resources to individuals and families in need. The nonprofit offers daily hot meals, a food pantry, and a variety of outreach programs designed to support the most vulnerable members of the community. The “Spread the Love” event reflects their ongoing commitment to compassion, dignity, and community care, according to its website.