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.