Wednesday, October 29, 2014

SEPTEMBER FLOWER EVENT

Gods Flower Transport 


                                 A photo of the Freedom Petals truck filled with our beautiful bouquets ready to leave for Walter Reed and Fisher House.  I don't know what we would do without the angels that have blessed this ministry.  Without the incredible talent and giving volunteers Freedom Petals Inc. wouldn't be starting its' 6th year of bringing smiles to our wounded warriors through flowers.

                                 The September event was nothing less than a humbling experience.  The delivery was quiet, respectful and magical as usual.  Fisher House was so appreciative for the bowl size vases packed with fall colors.  The flowers were so beautiful and fresher than usual thanks to Trader Joe's Reston.  Anne Harvey from the Herndon Florist donated dry cat tails and fall leaves for this event.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  We had lots of volunteers came out for this event.....my regular Friday team out shined themselves and the Saturday group worked hard on the large vases for the Hospital Chapel and nurses stations.  Thanks to Joan who attended the delivery.

      NOVEMBER EVENT NEWS

We took a little break in October to complete all the new security forms to enter Walter Reed National Medical Center.  The world has changed and they have updated new security processes to protect our military bases and personnel.  We have a confirmed date with WRNMMC for our November flower delivery event. 
 
Day and time to volunteer.
Friday, November 21st - 9 am to 1:00
Saturday, November 22nd - 9 am till done

THANKS Michele

Sunday, September 14, 2014

September Petals Flower Event


Hi All,

The September event will be Friday, 26 September (Friday only).  We received a wedding flower donation for this event,  the flowers will be cut and ready to go into vases.
Ann Harvey (Herndon Florist) will be donating some fall dry flowers as well.

Please respond if you can attend the Friday event:
Friday, September 26th -- 9 am till done

Hope to see the Friday team. 
Take Care,
Michele 

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Summer Flower Event - July 2014

Our July event was a huge success.  The volunteers worked very hard on Friday, 18 July to complete the flower bouquets for the Aleethia Dinner at the Capital Hill Club in Washington D.C. and for the Tuesday delivery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The dinner was filled with wonder; there were so many children of our warriors attending and the special guests were the VetDOGs from New York.  Liberty and Lela both Labs were with their Veteran owners sharing the story of how they met and what they do to help them get through a day.
Please see the beautiful flowers the Friday Freedom Petals team created for the dinner and the vetdogs taking a well deserved snooze at the dinner.


August is a month of rest and vacations.  Freedom Petals resumes in September.  I will let you know the dates as soon as I can schedule them.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!  THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Monday, June 9, 2014


Hi Everyone,

I received confirmation from Walter Reed that we have a scheduled delivery on Monday, June 16th.  So the plan is to make flower arrangements on 
Saturday, 14 June "ONLY."  
We will be taking flowers to the hospital and Fisher House.

EVENT - my  house
Saturday, 14 JUNE
9 till we are done.


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

MAY Freedom Petals Events *** Weddings, Friday Night Dinners, Walter Reed Wounded Warrior Cafe Mother's Day Brunch

WHEN PICTURES SAY IT BETTER THAN WORDS!
HERNDON FLORIST WEDDING BOUQUET

HAPPY WARRIOR COUPLE



ALEETHIA FRIDAY DINNERS
FREEDOM PETALS VOLUNTEERS
WR CAFE MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH 2014

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Aleethia Dinner - Friday 9 May 2014 Mother's Day Event

Good Morning Michele,
Thanks so much for bringing smiles to the wives, moms etc. As usual it was a chaotic beginning but all worked out...we passed out the arrangements at the end and everyone was excited to take the flowers home. They said to send their thanks to you since you and Keith had to leave early. We had one corsage left and I gave it to one of our volunteers to take home to his #1 lady! I gave the basket for the restaurant to the owner's son and he was very appreciative and was going to display it on their front entrance table and said to thank you! Since we didn't do door prizes because Clark brought a gift card for every service member... I gave the other basket of flowers to one of the Marines who was headed out the door to drive 5 hours to surprise his Mom for Mother's Day... he was excited to have flowers to give her when he got their later that night. I saw this morning she posted a picture of flowers (attached is the photo she posted on facebook) she received (hmmmm! they look familiar) so your flowers brought a smile to a Marine Mom and made her son feel happy to have a basket of flowers for his Mom. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! Thanks again to all your volunteers and to your helper, Keith!!                              Best, Margaret


Monday, March 31, 2014

Asbury Speaking Engagement

Michele and Barbara fought traffic and more traffic to get to our speaking engagement at the Asbury Village in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Monday, March 24, 2014. Donald and Barbara Woodward treated us to dinner. Donald is the Dean of Keese School located in Asbury Village. We ate in the dining room of Asbury Village and then we were invited to the hall, which was set up for 100 people. This was the first time Michele and Barbara were on stage and using a microphone for a speaking engagement, but we adapted to the special treatment with no problem. As the room started to fill up, they were setting up with our newest DVD, Allison Starlings Working Women segment about Freedom Petals, a table for making arrangements; we brought the vases, flowers and daffodils for donations. We started promptly at 7:30 with about 40 people in attendance. Michele started first giving information on how she started Freedom Petals and then showed the news segment with Allison. After that was completed she continued by sharing how long we have been in existence, volunteer numbers, what we do, statistics, what we have purchased to do the job, etc. As Michele was talking Barbara was arranging flowers in vases. Barbara followed with information about our Friday and Saturday volunteer days, our camaraderie family atmosphere, our visits to deliver flowers and stories about the warriors we have meet. She also spoke about the needs for Freedom Petals, like vases, scissors, pens, clippers, etc. While Barbara was speaking, Michele was arranging flowers. Then Michele and Barbara went into a question and answer period. Our finale was to offer the daffodils for donations. The arrangements (5) made during the presentation by Michele and Barbara, were going to be donated to the nursing home at Asbury. The evening was a big success. We brought in a nice sum for donations, which enabled us to purchase 2 scissors and 12 clippers, which will be gratefully accepted by the volunteers. Thank you residents of Asbury Village for a wonderful evening..

March Flowers Bring April Smiles

March was a very successful event and the flowers were plentiful. The Friday team was excited to have such a large choice of flowers. Trader Joes, Reston really out did themselves in giving us fresh flowers within all the donations of spoils. The tables arrangements for the Aleethia Friday Night Dinner were beautiful. We used square dishes that were donated by Michaels Fair Lakes. The volunteers filled the oasis with bright spring colors of carnations, alstromeria and daisy mums. We made 15 table arrangements and 2 baskets for their drawing. The dinner was at the National Press Club ballroom, a very interesting venue. They had 23 wounded warriors and their families. Every lady received a flower arrangement to bring home. The Saturday team was so excited to be making flowers for the hospital visit and Fisher House. We brought 30 bud vases to Fisher House and they were very pleased. On Monday (first non-snow Monday) Pam and I delivered the flowers to Fisher House first. At 10am we arrived at Walter Reed, Howard from the Visit Cell met us and told us that many of the wounded had gone home. We were elated. We gave many arrangements to the nurse’s stations since we had an abundance of flower vases. Our Freedom Petals bouquets were expressions of love and healing. Thanks to all who came to support this March event. Thanks once again for the donations of vases, silk flowers and Easter eggs to adorn our arrangements.
Aleethia Dinner Flowers

Saturday, March 8, 2014

March Flower Event Scheduled

Unfortunately I had to cancel the February event due to family health issues.  But March has been exciting to say the least.

Last night we were highlighted on the ABC Channel 7 News - Working Women Segment hosted by Alison Starling.  It has been posted on the web...just google Alison Starling Working Women.

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/03/working-woman-freedom-petals-for-wounded-warriors-100914.html

March Event  - Friday, 21 March - Create Aleethia Dinner Flowers
                         Saturday, 22 March - Hospital/Fisher House


We are in need of pens for the silk flowers.  Anything that looks like first day of springtime...butterflies, dragonflies, bunnies, eggs to adorn our arrangements.


Sunday, January 12, 2014

2014 January Event


Happy New Year!

I just received confirmation from WRNMMC for our January flower event, delivery Monday, 27 January. 

Volunteer opportunities are Friday, 24 January 10 am to 2 pm (making flowers for Aleethia Dinner)
Saturday, 25 January 9 am till finished. An early valentine theme will be used so keep your eyes out for valentine accessories.

I can't believe we're starting our 5th year delivering flowers to our heros.  Thanks to all of you for giving your precious time and talents to the mission of Freedom Petals Inc.  Thanks for all the continuous vases and flower items you donate thoughout the year.

​God Bless,
 
Michele Bevington

​PS, If any Garden Club members would like to provide greens for this event please send me an email [email protected] or give me a call on 703 623-1508.​
Flowers always brighten the Aleethia Dinner tables.