Get ready to be swept off your feet by a heartwarming tale of two friends from Virginia who decided to tackle floral waste in a unique and inspiring way. Friendly City Florals, a small non-profit organization, was born out of their desire to repurpose flowers from weddings, funerals, and other events, ensuring that the joy a vibrant bouquet brings doesn’t fade with the color of its petals.

Repurposed peonies, ready for delivery in Harrisonburg – credit, Friendly City Florals
It all started when Rebecca Shelly, a veteran of the wedding industry, found herself heartbroken over the sight of hundreds of perfectly healthy peonies being thrown away after a wedding reception. She managed to save as many as she could, but as Shelly told the Washington Post, there were enough flowers to fill two U-Haul trucks.

Shelly’s anguish over the needless waste was shared by her friend, Laura Ruth. Both women had recently suffered the loss of their fathers, and were struck by the sheer volume of flowers they received during the grieving period. This sparked an idea: what if these flowers could be repurposed to bring joy to others?

And so, Friendly City Florals was born. Shelly and Ruth now dedicate several days a week to collecting floral arrangements that would otherwise end up in the trash. They carefully weed out any wilted stems, replace them with fresh flowers, and deliver these revitalized bouquets to places like hospice care homes and hospitals.

Donated flowers spill over Shelly’s kitchen counters in Harrisonburg. (Friendly City Florals)
“It’s a simple thing to pick out what’s wilted, add some of our own [flowers] if needed, and share the joy one more time,” said Ruth, whose kitchen is often overflowing with donated zinnias, daisies, and dahlias.

According to staff and residents of several locations frequented by Friendly City Florals, these repurposed flowers have a profound impact on their day. The non-profit also accepts donations from home gardeners or anyone who has spare blooms to share.

Especially in nursing homes, where residents often feel socially isolated and lack personal green spaces, these flowers make a big difference. “We just hear so much feedback about how much joy it brings them and how much they love it,” Ruth told WHSV 3.

So, if you’re ever overwhelmed with too many flowers and don’t know what to do with them, remember Friendly City Florals. They’ll gladly take them off your hands and give them a new purpose – to spread joy and brighten someone’s day.

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Source: Good News Network