Random Acts of Flowers has so many wonderful volunteers! Our volunteers are a part of every aspect of fulfilling our mission from picking up donations, to washing vases, to arranging bouquets, to delivering those bouquets in the community. We also have volunteers who host information booths, help with data entry, graphic design, and even fundraising. In other words, the staff of Random Acts of Flowers would not be able to fulfill our mission without help from our dedicated volunteers! The staff can never say thank you enough for all the time that our volunteers donate to this organization.
There is one event each year that takes a tremendous amount of effort given by volunteers, the Dogwood Arts Festival Parade. Though it is a lot of work, it is a team building experience for our volunteers and from what I’ve heard one that they really enjoy. Two volunteers co-chair this event and with the help of many of their fellow volunteers they produce a breathtaking fresh flower float to enter in the parade. This year’s co-chairs were Dolores T. and Nancy I. Dolores brought experience from her event planning business, Soiree Events, and Nancy brought years of experience as an art teacher with Knox County Schools. Of course, they have also both been volunteers with Random Acts of Flowers since the Fall of 2010 and as such brought LOTS of arranging experience as well. Their task was large, plan a fresh flower float and engage fellow volunteers to help them create it in less than 72 hours, and I must say these ladies did a fantastic job! A BIG thank you to all our hardworking volunteers for giving the additional time it took to create this masterpiece.
As they say, pictures speak a thousand words.
Additional special thanks go out to our wholesale floral supplier partners and to All Occasions Party Rentals for their generous support. It was a team effort that brought a lot of awareness to the charitable services of Random Acts of Flowers!
This week we hosted our second workshop to fulfill a generous grant from the Knoxville Garden Club. The first workshop was with a Girl Scout troop, that blog entry can be found here (or by scrolling down). Our second workshop was with the residents at Shannondale Assisted Living.
Sixteen residents gathered in the Activities Room where Random Acts of Flowers provided all the materials – flowers, vases, scissors, and helpful volunteers – for them to arrange bouquets of flowers. The joy in the room was almost palpable! It took a moment for everyone to get comfortable, many comments were heard along the lines that they didn’t know what to add next. But once the residents’ began to feel more comfortable they were smiling and chatting about the task at hand. Upon completing their bouquets many of the residents sat turning them around and around with big, proud smiles on their faces. A few even made additional bouquets that they could deliver to their friends at the facility.
A good time was certainly had by all, from staff (RAF and Shannondale), to volunteers, to residents, everyone left with a big smile and an extra pep in their step! What an exciting program for Random Acts of Flowers to add to our repertoire! A very big thank you to the members of the Knoxville Garden Club for helping us to deliver smiles in this hands-on way.
Here are a few sample photos but if you want to see them all check out our album on Photobucket by following this link.
Thursday evening we hosted our 3rd 2011 workshop with Samuel Franklin. The workshop was focused around creating themed centerpieces for the Fall. We had a wonderful group of ladies.
We started the evening with a spread of cheeses and glasses of wine while perusing Sam’s stunningly beautiful shop. Along with his gorgeous floral designs Sam helps customers with interior design; you can see examples of his exquisite tastes throughout the shop. His shop also has gifts for any occasion, a beautiful sun room and courtyard full of plants, and every imaginable kind of wall art. Sam is generous to donate a percentage of all purchases during the workshop back to Random Acts of Flowers. His generosity surely has no end! During the reception I answered questions about Random Acts of Flowers and Sam chatted with the attendees. 
Next we made our way downstairs to start the workshop. This is a unique experience for the non-professional to get to work in an actual florists’ workroom. Each attendee has a workstation complete with a bowl of Oasis, scissors, two seed pods, two oranges, an orange and white bow, and a bucket of flowers.
Sam started the workshop talking about different ways that you can “theme” an arrangement. This included using branches, oranges, and/or wheat for a Fall look. He also suggested the use of more interesting flowers and foliage like protea instead of a “summery” floral bouquet.
Then Sam gave step by step directions while each attendee created their own centerpiece. He started us off with greenery but cautioned not to add too much because there were plenty of flowers and other items to add on.
Here you can see where Dolores and Lianne started with greenery and then added on. The arrangements on the right are only about 2/3 of the way done but they are already gorgeous!
Sam also takes the time to walk around and give personal attention to each attendee. He has a wonderfully laid back style and is such a pleasure to be around. I often have attendees after the workshop telling me how down-to-earth he is and how much they enjoyed meeting him.
Here are some pictures of everyone having fun with their floral creations.
We all agree that no matter how helpful Sam is our arrangements never look as fabulous as his. I guess that is what 33 years in the floral industry does for you! Here is Sam finishing his arrangement and showing us a few extras that you can add on.
Sam always concludes the workshop with a tour of the floral coolers and the florist’s stockrooms. I don’t have a picture from Thursday so I am slipping one in from an earlier workshop. Here are also some pictures of a few of the attendees and the finished centerpieces.
We are very excited to announce that our WINTER workshop scheduled for November 3rd, when Sam will demonstrate how to decorate your mantle piece for the holidays, is sold out! We are hoping to offer a 2012 workshop series with a whole new line-up of activities. Stay tuned for more info.
Samuel Franklin
Holiday Decor Workshop
The holidays are quick approaching!
It is time to hang the garland, decorate the tree,
and deck the halls.
November 18, 2010
6:00-8:00pm
362 N. Main Street, Clinton
Sam will share expert tips on
designing wreaths, garland, and holiday centerpieces.
Attendees will create a take-home item to help kick off their holiday decorating.
Join us at 5:30pm
for a wine and cheese Social With Sam
and a private viewing of
Samuel Franklin Floral & Home.
Ticket price is $50.
All materials are included in the ticket price and attendees will receive a 20% discount on additional items purchased from the store.
All proceeds will benefit Random Acts of Flowers.
To RSVP:
Call office 865-633-9082
Pay by credit card on PayPal (follow this link)
Mail check to: 920 Volunteer Landing Lane, Ste 201
Knoxville, TN 37915
We're blogging! http://randomactsofflowers.org/blog/
Check out the blog on our website where you can read along as we fulfill our mission. Below are a few samples:
Encouraging Stories from the Community http://randomactsofflowers.org/blog/stories/encouraging-stories-from-community/
2010 Fall Bulb Sale
http://randomactsofflowers.org/blog/special-events/2010-fall-bulb-sale/
A last wish, to be a blushing bride
http://randomactsofflowers.org/blog/stories/a-last-wish-to-be-a-blushing-bride/
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The Random Acts of Flowers process.
Flowers arrive at our facility in buckets,
where our trusty volunteers arrange them into individual bouquets,
and then deliver them with a smile!
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Well, it is that time again! Time to stock up on bulbs, get them in the ground, and then sit back and wait for the display of color in the Spring.
This year we will be at the Earthfare in Turkey Creek & Bearden as well as on Market Square in front of Reruns Consignment all five Saturdays in October from 10am to 2pm. We will also be at the following locations:
- Ramsey House Country Market – Saturday, Oct 2nd – 9am to 5pm
- Ramsey House Country Market – Sunday, Oct 3rd – 9am to 5pm
- UT Garden Fall Plant Sale – Friday, Oct 8th – 4pm to 6pm
- UT Garden Fall Plant Sale – Saturday, Oct 9th – 9am to 2pm
- Clinton Fall Festival (outside of Samuel Franklin Floral Design) – Saturday, Oct 9th – 9am to 3pm
- Samuel Franklin Floral Design Open House – Friday, Oct 22nd – 10am to 3pm
- Samuel Franklin Floral Design Open House – Saturday, Oct 23rd – 10am to 3pm
For a full schedule check out this previous post.
By purchasing bulbs from Random Acts of Flowers you can know that you will have a beautiful yard in the Spring AND that you are helping to brighten someones day through a delivery from Random Acts of Flowers.
Following are a few testimonials from our supporters during the 2009 Fall Bulb Sale:
David's Pink Impression Tulips
“The Tulips we purchased last year were absolutely amazing. I am the farthest thing from a ‘green thumb’ and the planting and result made my yard absolutely beautiful. I received several comments from my neighbors on how bright they were. Many thanks to the organization for the bulbs and I am looking forward to this years bulb sale!!!” – David J.
Lori's Easter Joy Tulip Mix
“I’m so glad that we are selling bulbs again this year because every single one in the bag that I bought bloomed this past spring. It was spectacular and also a lot of fun watching the various colors of 50 tulips bloom! I really am looking forward to sharing the joy with others at this year’s sale.” – Lori C.
Random Acts of Flowers is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Fall Bulb Sale!
No garden is complete without the beauty of blooming bulbs! Plan your spring flowers while helping support a local charity at the same time. Not only will you get fabulous bulbs from our great bulb companies, you’ll also be helping the charity bring smiles to patients in area hospitals, nursing homes and hospice care centers.
Come visit us during the month of October and purchase bulbs for your garden!
Can’t make it out to one of our locations or live outside the East Tennessee area? If so, you can still order wonderful bulbs and support our charity at the same time! Order online - click here – where 50% of every order benefits Random Acts of Flowers. There’s a great selection of bulbs and they’re shipped directly to you (nationwide) for one low cost.
Saturday, October 2
Earthfare Supermarket (Bearden) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Earthfare Supermarket (Turkey Creek) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Market Square (Downtown) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Friday, October 8
U.T. Gardens – Fall Plant Sale (UT Ag Campus) / 4:00p – 6:00p
Saturday, October 9
Earthfare Supermarket (Bearden) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Earthfare Supermarket (Turkey Creek) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Market Square (Downtown) / 10:00a – 2:00p
U.T. Gardens – Fall Plant Sale (UT Ag Campus) / 9:00a – 2:00p
Clinton Fall Festival (outside Sam Franklin Florists) / 9:00a – 3:00p
Saturday, October 16
Earthfare Supermarket (Bearden) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Earthfare Supermarket (Turkey Creek) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Market Square (Downtown) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Friday, October 22
Clinton Fall Festival (outside Sam Franklin Florists) / 10:00a – 3:00p
Saturday, October 23
Earthfare Supermarket (Bearden) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Earthfare Supermarket (Turkey Creek) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Market Square (Downtown) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Clinton Fall Festival (outside Sam Franklin Florists) / 10:00a – 3:00p
Saturday, October 30
Earthfare Supermarket (Bearden) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Earthfare Supermarket (Turkey Creek) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Market Square (Downtown) / 10:00a – 2:00p
Thank you for supporting RAF and enjoy your flowers in the spring!
To the artists of the Knoxville community,
Let me start by saying how appreciative we were of your support last year! As a newly formed organization we had no idea whether we could get the support we needed from the art community in order to stage our first fundraising event. Were we wrong! The art community came out in force donating such wonderful pieces from blown glass to metalwork to photography and even edible art!
As a result of last year’s Art in the Garden Random Acts of Flowers was able to deliver over 2600 bouquets to area patients in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospices in our first year. For many of our recipients the delivery of a bouquet of flowers may be the only time that day (or even that week) that they are able to take a breath, appreciate something beautiful, and feel a moment of joy. We are so appreciative of the Knoxville art community for helping to give that moment.
Please follow the link below for information about Art in the Garden 2010. We have made a few changes this year including inviting donating artists to attend the art sale gala to promote their work and mingle with potential supporters. We feel that this is an important change that not only gives the artists more exposure but will also make the event more enjoyable for all involved.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B7XTZyDI9omVNTVjNDhlYWUtNzdlNC00ZjQwLWI2NGQtMmJlZTA3MGE5Njkz&hl=en
Feel free to contact me through any of the venues in my signature should you have any questions.
Sage:)
Sage Morgan
Director of Operations
Random Acts of Flowers
www.randomactsofflowers.org
920 Volunteer Landing Lane, Ste 201
Knoxville, TN 37915
(865) 633-9082 o
(865) 633 9083 f
(865) 300-7710 c
