Random Acts of Flowers and Habitat for Humanity ReStore Chicago utilize thousands of flower donations for nursing homes, hospitals, local families and veterans leading up to Fourth of July.
The International Floriculture Expo held last week at McCormick Place brought nearly 2000 floral industry professionals from around the globe to the Chicago area. Attendees have returned home, but the impact is still being felt in Chicago thanks to two local non-profits, Random Acts of Flowers Chicago and Habitat for Humanity ReStore Chicago. Both groups sent staff and volunteers to McCormick Place last Wednesday to pick up thousands of floral donations at the conclusion of the show. The groups worked through the night processing donations and loading them onto trucks.
Random Acts of Flowers has been delivering fresh cut bouquets in waves throughout Chicago over the past week, including to 155 residents at Waterford Nursing and Rehabilitation. On Tuesday, June 28, 2016 they delivered to 125 patients at Northwestern and Presence St. Joseph Hospitals. They will continue to deliver to veterans this week leading up to the Fourth of July. With proper care, flowers can last for weeks and it is expected that these donations will continue to spread joy throughout Chicago long after the expo has ended.
ReStore Chicago collected and processed 90 pallets of potted plants and hard goods which are available for purchase at their store on 6040 North Pulaski Road. Joe Augello, ReStore Operations Manager, says, “This is our second year receiving donations from exhibitors at the International Floriculture Expo. The sales of the plants, pots and other garden materials will greatly impact our ability to continue Habitat’s mission of providing affordable homes to families in need. We are so appreciative of the exhibitors and the show’s organizers for making this possible.”
“Our exhibitors are showcasing truly beautiful products that bring joy to others – we feel honored that we can continue to spread happiness throughout Chicago by coordinating these donations to these amazing organizations,” said Christine Salmon, Event Manager at International Floriculture Expo.
This effort was also made possible by dozens of local volunteers, including Home Depot, Pomp’s Tires, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Clutch Group, Shiftgig and the exhibitors at the International Floriculture Expo.
