Our Mission

At Spreading Hearts, our mission is both simple and deeply meaningful:

To make sure every person feels seen, loved, and reminded they matter.

In the busyness of life, a small act of kindness can change everything. That’s why we invite you to slow down, notice someone, and offer a small pewter heart—paired with a few heartfelt words. It may seem like a small gesture, but it can spark joy, renew hope, and create a moment of real connection.

These hearts speak a universal language of love—crossing generations, backgrounds, and borders. Whether you give one or receive one, each heart is a reminder that God’s love knows no limits.

Let’s look up. Let’s reach out.

Let’s spread love, one heart at a time.

Small Heart. Big Mission.

Jeanne Malnati & Family

The Malnati Family

In 2009, a journey began—one that started on a plane to South Africa with a small bag of pewter hearts and a quiet whisper that would change everything.

I was traveling with my daughter Kelsey to meet my other daughter, Melissa, who had been in South Africa capturing stories for a college photojournalism project. On a whim, I tucked a few pewter hearts into my suitcase. Somewhere over the Atlantic, I felt a divine nudge:

Give them away. One by one. As you feel led.

And so, we did.

In a township outside Cape Town, we began offering hearts to strangers—placing them gently in hands and speaking words like:

“You are seen.”

“You are deeply loved.”

“Thank you for being you.”

Each time, something sacred happened. Faces lit up. Eyes filled with tears. For a moment, love rewrote the atmosphere. And our hearts were forever changed.

That trip sparked a movement. Since then, more than 60,000 pewter hearts have been shared around the world by a growing community of “Heart Spreaders.” Each one is a simple, powerful reminder that someone is seen, valued, and not alone.

Today, Spreading Hearts is still led by our family—from Gramps and Grammy to little Remy and Eloise—with hearts full of faith and hands ready to serve. We believe that small things, done with great love, can change everything.

Join us. Give a heart. Be a heart.

Because love—real, simple, intentional love—changes everything.

A Note From Jeanne:

I’ve always believed in the power of a single moment—a quiet whisper from God, a spark of courage, a simple word of encouragement. That’s how Spreading Hearts began: with a whisper on a plane and a small bag of pewter hearts tucked into my suitcase.

What happened next, I could never have imagined. Across the globe, people—young and old, in moments of joy and in seasons of pain—have received these small hearts that somehow speak volumes.

This movement continues to unfold in beautiful, unexpected ways. And my hope is that it touches something in you, too. That you’ll feel inspired to both give and receive the love and compassion these hearts carry.

With a full heart,

Jeanne Malnati

Founder, Spreading Hearts