In early December I shared a story about our first ever traceable Memorial Donation as a result of our Mission.  A Memorial Donation is one given in someone’s memory, and we call it a result of our Mission because the family of the deceased remembered their loved one receiving flowers from RAF while in a healthcare facility.  Upon their passing the family wants to give back to our organization which made a positive difference in their loved one’s life.  So it is a donation given as a result of fulfilling our Mission.

How exciting to learn that we have a second such donation following closely on the heels of our very first!  We recently received a large donation from a company in California.  Upon following up to discover how they heard of us and why they felt compelled to donate we learned that they were donating in memory of an employee’s deceased spouse.  But the story was not to end there.  I recently received the following Share Your Story from Stew.

Thank-you so much for the work you do. My wife, DiAnne received one of your arrangements when she was in the hospital 2 years ago recovering from brain surgery. I have recently lost my beloved DiAnne, but my company, the Linux Foundation was gracious enough to make a donation in her name. Keep up the good work! - Stew

We are very sorry to hear about DiAnne’s passing but so happy to hear that we helped her in her time of need.  And to think it was 2 years ago; we must have really made an impression!  I think that this story shows how profound of an affect our deliveries can have on families who are going through a difficult time.  Something as small as a bouquet of flowers delivered by a stranger “just because” can be the light that is so badly needed during the dark periods of our lives.  A moment when you are reminded that there is beauty to be had and compassion to be shared.

This also reiterates the importance of Sharing Your Story.  Our volunteers see over and over again the joy, the smiles, that are in response to our deliveries.  They try to share their stories but all they know is that someone in the hospital/nursing home/assisted living was smiling when they left the room.  They don’t know the story behind the smile, and those stories are a reminder of how important is our mission to deliver smiles, one bouquet at a time.

If you are a recipient, family member of a recipient, nurse or staff at a facility, please take a moment to Share Your Story.  It means so very much to us here at Random Acts of Flowers to hear about how our mission is affecting our community.  And it is your stories that compel our community to donate in order to help us continue fulfilling our Mission.