Light Orlando LOVE Week 2026 Recap
- Amanda Selby
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Light Orlando LOVE Week | A Powerful Expression of Love in Action
From Monday, February 9 through Saturday, February 14, 2026, Light Orlando hosted its annual Volunteer Experience Week, better known as LOVE Week. Launched in 2023, Light Orlando’s Volunteer Experience (LOVE) Week was created with one simple but powerful belief: love is best expressed through action.
Throughout the week, individuals, families, churches, businesses, and community groups came together to serve across Central Florida. In just six days, 382 volunteers gave 1,273 hours of service, impacting six community organizations and hundreds of local residents.
Here’s a look back at how LOVE Week 2026 unfolded.
The Salvation Army Orlando Senior Prom
Monday, February 9, 2026
In partnership with The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command
LOVE Week began with a heartwarming Valentine’s Day-themed Senior Prom for approximately 60 residents from The Salvation Army’s low-income housing community.
Volunteers transformed the space with festive decorations, served refreshments, and most importantly, spent meaningful time with the senior guests. The evening was filled with dancing, laughter, and connection as volunteers socialized with residents and ensured each guest felt celebrated and valued. The night concluded with volunteers assisting in event clean-up, wrapping up a beautiful start to the week.
Flower Distribution in Orlando District Five
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
In partnership with Commissioner Shan Rose
On Tuesday, volunteers gathered in the Mercy Drive community of Orlando’s District Five to spread encouragement one doorstep at a time. Together, they arranged and distributed more than 60 dozen Valentine bouquets - over 700 flowers in total.
A total of 187 residents received flowers delivered directly to their homes, each accompanied by a thoughtfully prepared goodie bag from Commissioner Shan Rose. The bags included her contact information, ensuring residents had a direct line for questions and community concerns.
Volunteers carefully arranged bouquets, delivered flowers throughout the neighborhood, and engaged residents in meaningful conversations. Smiles, gratitude, and words of encouragement filled the day as love was shared in its simplest, yet most impactful, form.
The Russell Home Beautification Project
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
In partnership with The Russell Home for Atypical Children
Midweek, volunteers served at The Russell Home, the only private, nonprofit facility of its kind in Central Florida caring for severely disabled children. The home serves 27 residents, and LOVE Week volunteers had the privilege of meeting some of these incredible residents during their visit.
The beautification project focused on enhancing the property’s outdoor spaces and improving organization within the facility. Volunteers:
Picked up debris and leaves
Prepared and weeded planting beds
Cleaned 600 feet of vinyl fencing
Trimmed shrubs around the property
Organized the pantry
Cleaned the on-site utility shed
Power washed sidewalks
In total, volunteers laid 100 bags of mulch and 20 bags of stone, helping refresh and maintain the property’s landscaping. The day reflected LOVE Week’s commitment not just to serving people directly, but also to strengthening the environments that support them.
Planting Flowers with Innovation Youth Program
Thursday, February 12, 2026
In partnership with Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Flowers and education provided by 4Roots Farm
Thursday’s project centered on creativity, growth, and encouragement. The Light Orlando Team joined 22 youth staying at the Coalition for the Homeless as part of the Innovation Youth Program for a hands-on planting experience.
Light Orlando team members set up decorating stations, assisted children in decorating their own planting pots, and helped them plant flowers to take home. The team from 4Roots Farm provided potting materials and shared educational instruction on how to properly care for the plants.
The evening concluded with the Light Orlando Team serving dinner to the youth. Beyond planting flowers, the project planted seeds of confidence, creativity, and hope.
Family Fun Picnic with Family Promise
Friday, February 13, 2026
In partnership with Family Promise of Greater Orlando
Friday night brought 16 families together for a Family Fun Picnic hosted by Light Orlando. Held at College Park Middle School, the event welcomed 76 individuals, including 21 adults and 55 children, currently participating in the Family Promise program.
Volunteers organized and oversaw field day games, prepared and served dinner, and participated in dancing and activities throughout the evening. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy as families experienced a night of carefree fun, connection, and community support.
Annual LOVE Week Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build
Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Valentine’s Day)
In partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Orlando Chapter
LOVE Week concluded on Valentine’s Day with one of its most impactful initiatives: the annual Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build.
With space generously provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, volunteers worked toward an ambitious and inspiring goal: building 100 beds from start to finish for children who may otherwise go without one.
Volunteers operated saws, drills, and sanders; assembled headboards, footboards, and side rails; prepared and sealed wooden components; and loaded completed beds onto trucks for delivery to the SHP warehouse. No prior experience was required, and many participants picked up a power tool for the very first time, learning new skills while serving a meaningful cause.
The sight of volunteers of all ages working side by side was a powerful reminder that when a community unites with purpose, extraordinary things happen.
Love in Action
LOVE Week 2026 was more than a series of service projects; it was a demonstration of what happens when a community chooses to act with intention. In six days, 382 volunteers gave 1,273 hours to serve seniors, families, youth, children with disabilities, and neighbors across Central Florida.
Through decorating, delivering flowers, landscaping, planting, cooking, building, and simply spending time with others, Light Orlando once again illuminated hope through action.
As LOVE Week continues to grow each year, one thing remains the same: love is not just something we say, it’s something we do.
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