Dave Smith, a driver for Allan’s Flowers & More in Prescott, Arizona, delivered Make Someone Smile designs to the Arizona Pioneer’s Retirement Home last year.
In Prescott, Arizona, a national effort to put flowers into the hands of people most in need of a smile is gaining momentum and giving one florist hope for even more success down the road.
Rakini Chinery, AAF, AzMF, of Allan’s Flowers & More in Prescott, Arizona, is one of many florists across the country planning to participate in Teleflora’s 16th Annual Make Someone Smile Week, July 17 through July 23. This year, the shop has “significantly increased” the number of trademarked Be Happy Mugs it plans to deliver, in large part because community awareness of the initiative is higher than ever before.
“Last year we caught the attention of a local restaurant who wants to provide food for the volunteers filling the mugs,” Chinery said. “The number of people in the community who want to participate has really increased. We also have a local church who wants to provide delivery help. I feel like we crossed some kind of line and will only see this project increase annually.”
Teleflora will donate more than 25,000 Be Happy Mugs to 40 units across the country, according to the company. Member florists will work with local wholesalers and growers in their areas to secure donations of flowers.
This is the fifth year Chinery has participated in the effort. Allan’s Flowers will be delivering to a number of local communities, including the Las Fuentes retirement home, the local VA Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital, among other groups.
For Rich Salvaggio, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, vice president of industry relations and publications at Teleflora, Make Someone Smile Week is a reminder of the powerful connection between flowers and people — and it’s one that florists, deep in the busyness and grind of their everyday lives, benefit from remembering.
“I think the most important thing about it to me is that it allows our florists to take part in something that lets them see what joy comes to people when given the gift of flowers,” he said. “Sometimes you doubt why you work so hard. It’s a wonderful chance for a florist to renew their excitement when they see how wonderfully grateful people are, especially when the flowers are a surprise.”
A Teleflora press release notes the company will donate more than 25,000 Be Happy Mugs to 40 units across the country. Member florists will work with local wholesalers and growers in their areas to secure donations of flowers. The donated flowers will help local Teleflora florists design the cheerful Be Happy Bouquets, full of “fresh white daisies and bright yellow roses and deliver them to residents of their choosing in their neighborhoods.”
Last year’s program spanned more than 100 cities and 300 facilities throughout the United States and Canada; with more than 1,000 florists donating their time to make and deliver more than 20,000 bouquets.