Early on, we learned that the elderly population was one of the most at risk for contracting COVID. Activities that were often difficult for seniors in pre-COVID times like going grocery shopping became increasingly complicated, and seniors living alone had to find safe ways of coping with loneliness and boredom. For seniors living in retirement communities, strict lockdowns often meant that residents couldn’t see their families, adding a whole new layer of stress to an already difficult situation. Last week, a man named Rene Blais decided to give his local senior community a much-needed distraction by buying out an entire flower truck so the elderly residents could build their own bouquets.
When Rene first contacted Joline Willsey, owner of Gypsy Blooms Flower Truck, she found his generous proposal hard to believe. “I initially didn’t take him too seriously and I even had forgotten to pass along my business card,” Joline told The Dad. “It wasn’t until the next day or so that I reached out to him to confirm and set a plan in place.”
Joline’s doubt quickly turned to excitement when she realized Rene was very serious about his offer – for no other reason than his desire to do something kind, Rene gave the residents of a senior citizens complex a day that they wouldn’t forget.