In an endeavor to nourish the spirits of the community, George’s Flowers, a cherished local floral shop, extended a heartfelt gesture by distributing free bouquets to individuals across the Roanoke Valley. The act of benevolence was part of the Petal It Forward initiative, a heartwarming campaign launched by the Society of American Florists in 2015.
Wednesday saw several compassionate souls from George’s Flowers hand out these vibrant bouquets at various locations throughout the Roanoke Valley, aiming to brighten people’s days and strengthen the sense of community.
Kate Penn, CEO of the Society of American Florists, revealed that the decision to hold this event on a Wednesday was intentional, designed to boost morale for the rest of the week. Penn emphasized the power of flowers, citing statistics that reveal how 80% of people report experiencing happiness when they receive flowers, while an even greater 88% derive joy from giving flowers to others.
With over 500 florists from across the nation joining this noble cause, George’s Flowers proudly represented the local contingent, upholding the mission to provide a taste of the happiness that comes with both receiving and giving floral gifts.
For George Clements, the owner of George’s Flowers, the joy of gifting flowers has been a passion for years. He has distributed thousands of bouquets throughout the Valley over the past five years. Clements expressed, “Flowers feed the soul; flowers make people happy.” His determination to spread this happiness shines through as he aspires to surpass the record of 5,000 bouquets given out last year, setting the ambitious goal of 7,000 bouquets this year.
Continuing their tradition, George’s Flowers partnered with MKB Realtors for the third consecutive year. Kit Hale, CEO of MKB Realtors, shared his delight in witnessing the heartfelt reactions of bouquet recipients. He acknowledged that some were initially taken aback, wondering if there was a catch. Hale explained, “The only catch is, Petal It Forward with one of them.”
Local residents, like Hannah Wood, were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected gift. Wood expressed her appreciation, saying, “I think it was a really sweet surprise. I wasn’t expecting this just walking around downtown.” Many locals shared their plans to pay the kind gesture forward, whether it be with a meal or a thoughtful gift to someone else.
Kate Penn concluded the day with an invitation to the community, urging everyone to experience the beauty of giving someone flowers who least expects it. Through Petal It Forward, George’s Flowers exemplified the profound joy and connection that blossoms from such small acts of kindness, embodying the idea that “Flowers feed the soul” and bring happiness to all who encounter their beauty.
