Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Walter Reed Flowers
March 23, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday Night Freedom Petals Speaking Event
Sunday, March 14, 2010
March Flower Event
March 10th Update!
Hi,
Freedom Petals Still Going Strong!
I know everyone is enjoying the warmer weather! Can't wait for Spring, I have a few updates to share and I will bullet them to make it easier to read.
1.) I broke down all the remaining flowers from last week's event. The last large basket arrangement was spruced up and I delivered it to the Ruckert Shelter in Reston. They loved it!
2.) I spoke at a girl scout troop meeting in Landsdowne and had so much fun. Their leader is my contact at AdamsGreen funeral home. The troop will be conducting a Vase Drive for Freedom Petals and this will give them Community Service hours for their service badge. At the meeting they wrote thank you letters to the service members, I plan on give them to the red cross to hand out.
3.) Sent out confirmation notes to Mologne House and Walter Reed Hospital for our next delivery dates in March.
4.) Received a touching note and a financial donation from the Air Force Association - Minutemen (Acton, MA) in the name of Ron Mason. He is an Air Force Civilian and many of his employees are deployed soldiers.5.) I did some flower type research and the flower we never can remember is ALSTROEMERIA. They last 10 days in water.
6.) Spent all of today submitting an application to the Pepsi website (Refresheverything.com) they are giving out money to new idea projects that help our world become a better place. I think it finally flew with Chris's help. It should be on the website in April. Please vote for Freedom Petals.7.) See attached: a really cool document titled Language of Flowers. Sentimental tradition of flowers. Enjoy!
8.) TJ Max in Fairfax Square - near Safeway has floral clippers by Elizabeth's Garden. They have 1/2 and 3/8 cutting width. I bought the 1/2" stem cutting width. They were 3.99, a good deal. They worked great too.
9.) I will try to order the thin clear tape for our next flower arranging weekend. We will be using large water vases this time and the clear tape makes the flowers fall into place easier.
Take care and God Bless,Michele
How I got started:
In August 2009 I was pondering what I would do with my time of retirement and how I wanted start to give back to society. I thank God that I am so blessed; I have my health, a happy family - two beautiful children, a beautiful daughter-in-law and great husband. It is time to use my talents and GIVE to others.
So one day in September, I was reading a magazine and came upon an article about a woman who started a non-profit organization in 2000 that provides bedside bouquets for Hospice patients. I said to myself I could start a non-profit organization, too. But my personal mission would be to say thank you to our great men and women fighting the fight. Some simple way to say thank-you to our troops for sacrificing themselves everyday to protect our freedoms. Right here in the Washington D.C. area we have servicemen and women recuperating from very serious wounds from the War in IRAQ and Afghanistan. Creating flower arrangements to bring smiles petal by petal to our recuperating service members and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center/ Malogne House and Fisher House at Walter Reed Complex. WOW!
THAT WAS IT!
Where I am today:
I started with a special friend who volunteers for the Red Cross at Walter Reed Hosp. I explained my story and ideas and thankfully she ran with it, she made some critical contacts at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She shared with me two names that I needed to contact and I called both of them. It was so easy to share my passion for this project and it has ignited a little EXCITEMENT to say the least. We will be set up in the front door lobby at Mologne house, deliver small arrangement to Fisher House and will provide a little sunshine to the hospital patients as well.
So now for the rest of the story…………… This is a shared volunteer endeavor and I need everyone’s help at all levels of commitment. I truly understand how busy everyone is so I have very small tasks and others that will take more time to accomplish. But I know with family and friend’s helping hands we can get this rolling towards a January 2010 delivery and continue 10 months out of the year.