Valentine’s Day is often seen as a celebration of romantic love, but is that the only kind of love worth celebrating? We believe it is not. Love comes in many forms and should be experienced and shared by all. With this in mind, Agora Aveiro organized a special project to bring warmth and companionship to those who need it most. On February 13th and 14th, hundreds of origami flowers with heartfelt messages about love, carefully crafted with dedication and care by our team, were gifted to the elderly in three Nursing Homes and Day Centers in Aveiro: Santa Casa da Misericórdia, the Centro Comunitário da Vera Cruz, and the Centro Comunitário da Gafanha do Carmo.

Each of these flowers is more than just a carefully folded piece of paper, it is a symbol of affection. Every card carries words that warm the heart and serve as a reminder that no one should feel forgotten. Loneliness can be heavy, but in small gestures, we find the power to brighten someone’s day, bring a smile, and make someone feel special.

For weeks, our volunteers dedicated themselves to this mission with enthusiasm and care. Folding each flower was more than just a craft, it was an act of love that created moments of joy and togetherness among the volunteers. They carefully chose the words to share, believing that each message could be a hug in the form of letters. We know that time is a precious gift, and that is exactly what we chose to give, hoping to touch lives.

The elderly who received these flowers did not just gain a material gift, they were given a moment of attention, a warm glance, and a listening ear. Their lives are filled with stories, memories, and emotions. They are voices that too often go unheard. In this exchange, it is not only those who receive who walk away with full hearts - those who give also become richer.

This initiative serves as a reminder that love should not be reserved for couples alone but shared with everyone, regardless of age or circumstance. Our hope is that this small gesture inspires more people to nurture this chain of kindness and empathy. May these origami flowers stand as a symbol that everyone deserves to feel loved, not just on Valentine’s Day but every day of the year. After all, true love is the kind that is given without expecting anything in return.

“Amor Dobrado” is part of the Agora Aveiro’s “Random Acts of Kindness” project and was carried out in partnership with Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Centro Comunitário da Vera Cruz, and Centro Comunitário da Gafanha do Carmo. It was also supported by the Aveiro’s City Hall and the IPDJ - Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude, I.P..