Young girl in Minnesota gives out 650 hugs, valentines to those in need

One young girl in Maple Grove, Minnesota has made it her mission to make sure everyone feels the love on Valentine's Day. She goes by "Carly Valentine" and has devoted a good part of her time to giving a hug and a valentine to those in need.

At the River Oaks Senior Center she's the one guest that just keeps coming back year after year.

"I think I first came here when my grandmother Lou Ann moved in here," Carly said.

For nearly seven years, 10-year-old "valentine" and her bright red wagon have been the highlight for over ninety senior citizens.

"They look forward to her coming, they remember her from past years and the project has just grown," her mom Tina Glomstad said.

Small bags of goodies are a sweet surprise, but ask anyone what their favorite part is and they'll tell you it's not the candy.

"The hugs... The hugs are the greatest," a senior at the home said.

One by one, deliberately patient Carly makes time for everyone to get a special hug on Valentine's Day.

She was only four when a book read to her by her late grandma gave birth to an idea -- "It's about a girl named Ruby Valentine who gives valentines to her town so I wanted to do something like that," Carly said.

Beyond the sweets and hugs Carly says she really just loves meeting new people. The 10-year-old has expanded her Valentine's Day operation to other outreach centers.

"It makes you feel very proud as a mom to see someone that small making connections with people," Glomstad said. "It's incredible."

Along the way young Carly said she has learned a lot about life, "If you want to achieve something just work at it and you can do it."

Valentine also made stops at a center for adults with disabilities and a shelter for homeless kids. In all, she handed out more than 650 goody bags.