Nurses Week just started today (May 6-12), but over the last weeks, they have already been praised all around the world. And not only them, but more people in the frontline of the Coronavirus pandemic as well as the elderly received flowers. And the donations even go beyond giving bunches of flowers; we've seen helicopters showering flower petals on hospitals, people 'flower flashing' their cities, and more. And don't forget the moms, which in many countries will be praised on May 10 this year (Mother's Day). Below an overview.
Australia
Floraco donated 1,500 bunches of flowers to hospitals in Perth, in time for Easter. The company partnered with a TV station to promote the initiative. "We are lucky that due to the freight prices and exchange rates, there are now very few import flowers competing for our markets. Things are the other way around for mother's day, we're challenged to get enough stock to fill the gap in the market", says Guy de Kok, Managing Director.
United States
Tournament of Roses
The Tournament of Roses provided Corona test site nurses with lunches and roses. They have committed to delivering lunches for five to seven weeks, or as needed.
Furthermore, the company announced a $100,000 donation to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (LARFB). “We assessed how we could best assist with local relief efforts and it became clear that food insecurity was one of the most critical needs,” said Executive Director/ CEO David Eads. “To maximize our impact and feed our most vulnerable neighbors, we decided to direct our funds to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.”
Just Add Ice
Green Circle Growers' mission is "making every day better with plants". To honour this mission, the company is donating $1 million worth of orchids in seven markets hit hardest by the Coronavirus: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Tampa and its home base, Northeast Ohio. The orchids will be delivered to frontline healthcare workers, from May 4th to May 9th. Just Add Ice Orchids is a daughter company of the Green Circle Growers.
Flowers can't solve everything, but they're a great start
A Mission-based florist is covering the exteriors of closed businesses in flower arrangements, reports Hoodline. With her business partner Ashley Mueller, Katie Riesman operates floral studio Ash + Oak out of her garage. The studio largely handles weddings and events, but with the COVID-19 crisis, most have been postponed.
As she waits out a time where large gatherings can once again be held, Riesman has decided to give back by decorating local small businesses with flowers. She and Mueller have dubbed the practice "flower flashing."
On Friday, Riesman threaded the exterior gate of Love Story Yoga with dozens of fresh flowers, along with a sign that reads "flowers can't solve everything, but they're a great start."
Flowers for frontline workers
In Pennsylvania doctors, nurses and staff finished their overnight shift at UPMC St. Margaret and got a fitting surprise as they left the hospital, reports Fox Chapel Herald. Led by Karen Toole, owner of &Flowers in Highland Park, a group of volunteers distributed 400 fresh bouquets on Friday to UPMC St. Margaret and UPMC Passavant. They showed up at three shift changes throughout the day to express gratitude and lift spirits.
“Many small flower growers own sustainable farms,” she said. “Sadly, their spring flowers are rotting and being tossed into dumpsters. So this helps them while at the same time brightening the day for our hospital workers.” A GoFundMe campaign raised $4,000 to pay for supplies and Toole hosted a virtual arranging party to build the 400 bouquets. Owners of several small businesses participated.
#GivingTuesdayNow
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), the organization that contributes year-round impact to the Greater Philadelphia area in the form of community gardening, tree plantings, jobs training, vacant land stabilization, and public landscapes, participated in the global May 5, 2020 #GivingTuesdayNow initiative. Normally, GivingTuesday is celebrated the first Tuesday in December, but due to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19, the May #GivingTuesdayNow global day of giving aims to provide a new opportunity to celebrate generosity and unity across the U.S.
The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in Manoa, Hawaï donated sunflowers to nurses braving COVID-19. "The bright, morale-boosting blooms will be donated to local hospitals, to thank staff members who are keeping our community safe from the pandemic", says the team with the university.
Russell Galanti harvesting, trimming, washing, and bundling 400+ sunflowers.
United Kingdom
Flamingo Group International has worked hard to do the right things for their people, customers and communities around the world. Among others the company has provided staff in Kenya with masks, daily free food and salary support for teachers who are unable to work in the company's communities. They assisted in the "Flowers of Hope" campaign, and donated excess flowers from Mother's Day to local church funds.
India
In India, IAF helicopters showered flower petals on hospitals, acknowledging the efforts of 'corona warriors', reports Siasat.
The hospital workers were clapping as well, thanking the armed forces for their support. "We are doing our duty", they said.
Colombia
A coalition formed in Colombia by Caproflor, the Geffa-Fenalco Group and Colviveros, launched the campaign "The natural way of saying... I love you Mom...", with the support of Fenix.net.
The efforts of the three associations of producers of flowers, foliage and live plants of Colombia concentrate on a video in Spanish and English and different pictures.
#letscelebrateyourdayallmay
Also Colombian farm Valley Springs has made a video in which they encourage celebrating Mother's Day, and not just one day, but all of May. They are on Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.
Nurses Week
And this all happened before Nurses Week officially took off. But what is Nurses Week actually? Wilfred the Wit of iBuyFlowers.com explains on his blog: "On May 12, the world celebrates the birthday of the most famous nurse of all time: Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). She laid the groundwork for modern nursing and is often called The Lady with the Lamp because of her frequent night rounds in the army hospital during the Crimean War. The week May 6-12 is International Nurses Week, to both honor Florence’ work and to raise awareness for the oh-so-important nurse profession. May 6 is National Nurses Day in the United States, marking the starting day of International Nurses Week." In his blog, he also gives florists tips to turn Nurses Week into an even bigger event.
Any more initiatives? Email them to info@floraldaily.com