“With those affected by Hurricane Maria, the needs are even more basic,” said Lynn Lary McLean, AIFD, AIFD Foundation CEO, on the launch of the group’s Hurricane Maria Florist Fund. “To assist with simple survival is what we are looking at there.”
The AIFD Foundation is again stepping in to offer support those in the floral industry hard hit by recent hurricanes.
The Hurricane Maria Florist Fund, modeled after the group’s Harvey and Irma funds, was organized in concert with the American Institute of Floral Designers’ Southern Chapter.
“We have never had three massive hurricanes hit the United States within six weeks of each other,” said Lynn Lary McLean, AIFD, AIFD Foundation CEO, noting that 100 percent of funds collected for each fund will be awarded. “To learn that upwards of 75 shops were damaged by Hurricane Harvey alone caused great concern for Texas. If these shops were unable to reopen, there would be significant impact. If those employed no longer had jobs then they would be forced to leave their homes and go elsewhere. The same held true with Florida and those affected by the Hurricane Irma.”
“With those affected by Hurricane Maria, the needs are even more basic,” McLean added. “We certainly want to do all we can to help.”
The group is currently accepting donations and applications for all three funds.
The AIFD Foundation worked with the Texas State Florists’ Association to establish the Hurricane Harvey Florist Fund and with the Florida State Florists’ Association for the Hurricane Irma Florist Fund.
After Hurricane Harvey, BloomNet/Napco established a matching funds program — an effort that the company has since extended to the Irma and Maria funds. The company will continue to match dollar-for-dollar donations made by BloomNet network members through December 31. McLean also noted “generous” financial contributions from FTD, the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers and the Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association as well as “individuals across the country who have so generously supported these efforts.”
At press time, the group was compiling information on current donation totals. Follow the foundation’s Facebook page for additional information.
