After both of their fathers passed away, Rebecca Shelly and Laura Ruth of Harrisonburg, Virginia, were struck by the amount of condolence flowers they’d received that were soon going to be heading to the landfill. To try and tackle this common problem and to spread joy in their community, the ladies created the nonprofit Friendly City Florals, and now they’re collecting floral arrangements from weddings and funerals and repurposing them.
Friendly City Florals collects flowers that would otherwise be discarded and refreshes them by removing wilted stems and adding new blooms if necessary. Shelly and Ruth then deliver these revitalized bouquets to places like hospice care homes, hospitals, and retirement communities, where they bring comfort and happiness to the residents.
The initiative has been well-received by the communities they serve, with recipients saying how the flowers brighten their days. Friendly City Florals also accepts donations from local gardeners and others with spare blooms, allowing them to bring even more joy to those who might be feeling isolated. Ruth stresses how much this gesture can mean to some recipients, like nursing home residents, who often don’t have access to gardens or greenspaces.
Source: GOOD NEWS NETWORK