A Valentine’s Day Surprise for the Elderly

Bring a smile, fight loneliness, and celebrate connection!

Source Surprise - Valentine 2026: The second edition of love and Connection

Source Surprise is inspired by my grandfather - he was a man who loved to surprise others. After my grandmother passed away, every Valentine's Day he bought a flower for every woman in the retirement home where he now lived. In this way, he ensured that on this day when loneliness is particularly noticeable,no one felt forgotten.

On this year's Valentine's Day, Quelle Surprise is launching the second edition of a heartwarming initiative: We want to bring love and connection to the people who need it most - our older people. Many seniors in nursing homes are lonely, especially on holidays like Valentine's Day - with your support we want to change that.

Valentine's Day 2026 - What we do:

You have the opportunity to send a red rose and a poem to a resident of a Viennese nursing home - personally delivered by an actor or actress. Our performers visit the homes, present the roses with a smile and recite the poems to create unforgettable moments.

How you can help:

• Buy a rose: By purchasing a symbolic ticket, you send a red rose with a poem to a senior citizen on Valentine's Day.
• Creating a connection: Your contribution is more as a gift - it brings joy and community to people who sometimes feel forgotten.
• Spread love: Your participation directly helps combat loneliness in nursing homes and puts a smile on faces that especially need it. You will be part of an initiative that spreads empathy, joy and connection.
• Receive a thank you:After your rose is delivered, you will receive a heartfelt thank you with behind-the-scenes photos - a beautiful reminder of the difference you made.

Why this matters:

For many people in nursing homes, especially those without close family or friends, Valentine's Day feels lonely. With a rose, you not only put a smile on the faces of the residents - you also show that our community cares for them, fights loneliness and promotes interpersonal connection.

Together we can make a difference:

Every rose represents a moment of happiness and takes a step towards a compassionate society. With your support, we can make this Valentine's Day a special day for seniors in Vienna.

Performed by: Rosa Braber, Lisa-Carolin Nemec, Silvi Spechtenhauser & Anja Grundner
Photography: Ksenia Kovalenko
Flowers: Flowervision Vienna
In cooperation with:Gustav Klimt House
An initiative by: Quelle Surprise – Celine Vanhoutte
Instagram: www.instagram.com/quelle.surprise

Website: www.quelle-surprise.com
Photos with thanks to: © Silk & Willow & © Kseniia Kovalenko

Featured in: Kurier