Lyubov receives flowers from friends, family, and acquaintances
that’s she’s helped in some form or fashion. Last year, she received
over 800 roses and dozens of thank you notes.
MIAMI, FLORIDA—Even at an early age, Lyubov Smirnova has always had a giving heart. It’s a quality she says she inherited from her mother who demonstrated time and time again just how life-changing giving as well as helping others in need can be.
“I remember one such occasion when we were outside and my mother noticed a child shivering from the cold. She removed her jacket, the only one she owned, and wrapped it around this little person,” recalled Lyubov. “Later when I asked her how she would replace it, she said she’d find a way and I shouldn’t worry about such things. She told me to remember the happiness on the child’s face once the jacket was firmly around her little body.”
That is only one of many selfless acts Lyubov recalls of her mother. According to Lyubov, she’s always considered it “a blessing” to be in a position to do something that brings smiles to other people’s faces.
“I start and end every day with gratitude in my heart,” explained Lyubov. “It’s this feeling I have knowing how fortunate my life is. If I can help others to know this feeling, they too will want to share it. It is very contagious, you know.”
To further her mission of good deeds, Lyubov recently launched Heightened Hearts, a non-profit recently registered with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations. At this time, her son, Dmitriy, 23, and her niece, Karyna Ledikhova, 18, have been instrumental in helping her with the foundation’s launch and along with several independent contractors—all of them unpaid.
“Our headquarters will be here in Miami with satellite offices situated around the world consistent with our expansion,” explained Lyubov. “We are focused on helping the community as much we can one person at the time. We are organizing a much larger out-reach program now that we are recognized officially as a Florida not-for –profit organization.”
Over the years, Lyubov has helped people after they’ve undergone surgeries, pay for their medicine, school, hospital bills, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, etc. She presently supports several families by providing them with clothes, furniture, school supplies or even paying their rents. Heightened Hearts will continue to help other people in a similar fashion.
“We will assess what is needed here at home and then create a strategic plan to address and serve those affected by it,” stated Lyubov.
As for future projects, Heightened Hearts has plans to build a relief center in the Ukraine. Lyubov hopes to break ground on the center in Spring 2016. The building will sit on land donated by her family.
“The relief center will serve as a gathering place for people of all backgrounds and beliefs,” explained Lyubov. “It’s a place for contemplation, reflection, study, growth as well as a place of refuge.”
In order for the organization to thrive and spread goodness throughout the world, volunteers and donors are crucial to the foundation’s success. If you are interested in volunteering, reach out to Lyubov and her team at [email protected]. They will respond as quickly as they possibly can. Donations in any form, (cash check, money order, western union wire service, or any other means which is convenient for you.)
Please make checks payable to “Heightened Hearts Foundation Inc.” and send to 1521 Alton Rd. l Suite 819 l Miami Beach, FL 33139. Or visit our website www.heightenedhearts.org/give/donate-funds/ to make a donation online. Once donations are received a team member will send you back your receipt which you will need for your taxes.
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