Bless Fruitland Park invites locals to participate in “Love Week” through acts of kindness and events during the month of February. 

“Love Week 2025,” hosted by Bless Fruitland Park, will work together with others within local communities to saturate Fruitland Park and the surrounding area with random acts of kindness and special planned activities Feb. 8-15.  

During “Love Week,” local businesses, churches, civic groups and individuals are encouraged to join in the efforts by brainstorming and carrying out their own creative ideas within local neighborhoods and communities. Participants are encouraged to flood social media with the acts of kindness that are happening in and around their communities as they encourage one another by taking pictures and using #LOVEWEEK.  

Some of the planned opportunities are as follows: 

Fruitland Park Library: Events during “Love Week” at the Fruitland Park Library, located at 604 W. Berckman St., Fruitland Park: 

For children’s program activities, contact Barbara Fields at [email protected]. For adult program activities, contact Liam Wagler at 352-360-6561 or [email protected]. 

Love Run 5K: The “Love Run” will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Recreation Department in Fruitland Park. The run is a family friendly 5K presented by The City of Fruitland Park with proceeds benefitting the City of Fruitland Park’s Utility Charity Fund. For more details go to https://raceroster.com/events/2025/98604/2025-love-week-5k-run. 

Senior Adult Luncheon: A senior adult fellowship and bingo is scheduled to be held at the Fruitland Park Recreation Department, located at 205 W. Berckman St., Fruitland Park, on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information on how you can help or participate, contact Michelle Yoder, Fruitland Park recreation director, at 352-516-9149. The meal will be provided. The chorus from Fruitland Park Elementary will also be singing.  

Citizens First Bank: The bank is offering a basket that will include a $150 gift card from The Villages Entertainment, a $50 gift card to Stavros & Sons Fruitland Park, a $50 gift card to an FMK restaurant and fun CFB logo items. The basket will be on display, and tickets are available at Citizens First Bank, located at 3290 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, Fruitland Park. They will also be cooking hotdogs on Friday, Feb. 14 at lunchtime for a suggested donation of $7. First responders eat free. Proceeds will go to Bless Fruitland Park to help them continue impacting the community. For more information, contact Cindi Falanga at 352-751-2104. 

Pizza with a Purpose: Stavros restaurant, located at 3223 U.S. Hwy. 441 #27, Fruitland Park, is giving back. On Monday, Feb. 10, 5% of all restaurant sales will go to Bless Fruitland Park for further community impact. Impact the community by choosing to eat with them on this day. Order out lunch for office staff, dine in or grab a take home for supper. For more information, contact Cyndi Kountanis at 352-315-0028. 

Kids Block Party: Connection Point Church is excited to support another “FREE” Kids Block Party on Saturday, Feb. 15. Show some extra love and bring the kids over to the Gardenia Park pavilion from 12 to 2 p.m. The church will be providing lunch, arts and crafts, face painting and more. Every future block party is posted on the “Fruitland Park Word of Mouth” Facebook page. For any additional information, contact Mitch Radu at [email protected] or 740-975-5636. 

The Fruitland Park Lions Club: The Lions club will be collecting food items to distribute to local food banks prior to “Love Week.” Food items can be dropped off on Tuesday nights from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the local Lions Den, located at 200 W. Fountain St., Fruitland Park. For more information on how you, your church, club or civic group can be involved, contact Linda Stevenson at [email protected] or 860-668-4119. 

Blood Mobile: The Big Red bus will be at 509 W. Berckman St., Fruitland Park, on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Persons donating will be given a $20 eGift card and a free t-shirt while supplies last. Contact One Blood at 888-936-6283. 

It’s All for the Kids: The men’s ministry of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Wildwood will be holding one of their annual 9-hole scramble golf tournaments at Continental Country Club in Wildwood on Monday, Feb. 10 to raise funds to support local youth and children’s programs. They also have two other golf days on March 10 and April 14. For more information on how to play or become a sponsor, contact Johnny Miller at 352-303-3967. 

Recognition of First Responders and Public Works Employees: Local churches will be providing cookies and sweets for first responders and public works employees during “Love Week.” For more information on how to participate, contact Rev. George Mulford of Grace Bible Baptist Church at [email protected] or 352-516-9134. In addition, Citizens First Bank, located at 3290 U.S. Hwy. 441/27, Fruitland Park, will feed first responders free lunch from 11 to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16. 

Giving Hearts Day: On Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 9 a.m., Project Legacy will host its “Giving Hands Day” celebration at Heritage Community Church, located at 509 W. Berckman St., Fruitland Park, in the fellowship hall. The event will gather supporters of Project Legacy and recognize some of the area’s nonprofit organizations (focusing on child and teen programs) that have received financial assistance from Project Legacy over the past several years. Participants will also hear about upcoming plans and opportunities. Trinity Constructors will be sponsoring this event and provide a light breakfast beginning at 8:45 a.m. For more information on Project Legacy or Giving Hearts Day, contact Karen Mercer at [email protected]  or 352-406-1769. 

Diaper and Baby Formula Drive: During the month of February, Bless Fruitland Park will be collecting baby diapers, pull ups or adult diapers as well as baby formula. Items can be dropped off at Community United Methodist Church, located at 309 College Ave., Fruitland Park. For more information, contact Melinda Milhorn at 352-408-7558. 

Cruisers and Rocket Ships: During the month of February, The Fruitland Park Police Department will be collecting items for the Fruitland Park Elementary School students and teachers. The items needed are as follows: boys size 1-4 shoes, boys and girls socks and underwear, headphones, play dough, paintbrushes, kickballs and contractors tape. In addition, Amazon gift cards, copy paper, black dry-erase markers, headphones with microphones attached, HDMI computer cords, belts of all sizes and gender, winter gloves and girls shoes of all sizes. Drop box locations are at Fruitland Park City Hall, Fruitland Park Community Center and Fruitland Park Library. For more information, contact Officer Courtney Corman at 407-230-1670. 

“Showing Love:” Trinity Assembly of God of Fruitland Park will be providing lunch on Monday, Feb. 10 for Fruitland Park Police and the Public Works Department. For more information, contact Rev. Chuck Padgett at 352-661-0274 or [email protected]