|
|
Coast to Coast: October 2006
Top Shops |
Make Someone Smile Week
Make Someone Smile® Week, which ran from July 16 through
July 22, enlisted Teleflora florists in Canada and the U.S. to deliver
floral arrangements to those most in need of a smile: hospital
patients, children at foster-care facilities, residents of nursing
homes and others.
 |
Make Someone Smile Week volunteers in London, Ont.
|
This year, 15 groups from across Canada participated in the weeklong event. Florists from Calgary, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Winnipeg, Hamilton, London, St. Catharines, New Castle, Orangeville, Kenora, Sarnia, Charlottetown, Saskatoon, Halifax and Toronto, distributed smiles and cheer to those in need. Local wholesalers and growers donated the flowers, which were then arranged in Teleflora Be Happy® Mugs by the volunteer florists.
Here are some thoughts from florists who participated in Make Someone Smile Week.
I know it is summertime and we ALL have things to do and enjoy, but when you see the joy that little effort can bring (and really, it is just a little effort in the course of your life) you know it is all so worth it! You aren’t doing enough if you aren’t doing all that you can!”
Neville MacKay from Halifax
 |
Top: Make Someone Smile Week volunteers in Mississauga, Ont.
Bottom: Make Someone Smile Week volunteers in Sarnia, Ont. |
 |
“Each recipient was totally surprised and each delivery brought that wonderful result. Not recognition, not thanks, not future sales or any ulterior kickback, it was the smile we were after. The pure, simple smile. Something so easy to give, something so wonderful to share, something with little effort we can all be part of. Make Someone Smile Week is a wonderful event, which reminds us to give to those who need. It doesn’t always have to be those in financial constraints who need the most. Often, it’s those who just need to know they are cared for and their happiness is important to others, even if for just a moment.”
The Orangville Team
“This is a very fulfilling event. My kids came to deliver and they were amazed at the smiles we received. It proved to them that flowers really make people smile and that my job is an important one. It’s amazing that something we do everyday and sometimes take for granted, will make a difference in someone’s life."
The Sarnia Team
Sharing the Power of Flowers With Local Charities
Patti Custaloe and Edithe Ross of Creations by Mom & Me in Kelowna, B.C., have been active contributors in their community for many years. They recently took their goodwill initiatives to the next level by teaming up with the local media and Flowers Canada to create a program called “Flower Power for Charities.”
 Each month, Creations by Mom & Me designates a local charity as the featured “Flower Power” organization. Flowers Canada donates fresh flowers for the charity’s upcoming event, which receives media coverage by the local news.
“Our efforts are beginning to pay off by broadening the outreach of regional charities and also reminding the community of the health-giving power of fresh flowers,” says Custaloe.
Featured “Flower Power” organizations have included the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Canadian Blood Services. Association for the Benefit of Children with Disabilities, the Arthritis Society of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Kelowna Community Food Bank are also scheduled to participate in “Flower Power for Charities” later this year.
|
|
|
