American Institute of Floral Designers endorses Random Acts of Flowers charitable flower recycling program nationwide.

Knoxville, Tenn. – Random Acts of Flowers (RAF), a nonprofit organization announced today that it has received the official endorsement from the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and has been recognized for its effective re-use of floral products for use in a charitable social effectiveness program.

On, Friday, July 4th RAF Founder/CEO Larsen Jay was welcomed at the AIFD National convention in Chicago, IL by the AIFD board of directors where a proclamation and presentation of endorsement was presented in front of over 1,000 members representing all 50 states.

“It’s remarkable how many people we’ve been able to positively impact with the simple generosity of our mission.” said Larsen Jay, Random Acts of Flowers Founder and CEO. “In just a handful of years, we’ve been able to recycle hundreds of thousands of donated flowers and deliver 40,000 smiles to people in healthcare facilities. It means a lot that the members of the AIFD would recognize our contribution to the floral industry and unique partnership that will have a significant impact of people as we continue to expand across the country. We look forward to working with their members to deliver flowers and a moment of kindness and compassion to those in the most need.”

“AIFD is proud to partner with Random Acts of Flowers.” said John Kittinger, President of National Board of Directors, American Institute of Floral Designers. “Random Acts of Flowers, like the members of AIFD, understand the healing power of flowers and floral artistry and the beautiful emotion flowers create in those that receive them. As leaders of the floral industry, this partnership with RAF should be a call to action – impacting lives through the simple act of giving flowers. AIFD is excited to be lending its support to this worthwhile organization.”

In July 2007, Random Acts of Flowers’ founder, Larsen Jay, was in a near-fatal accident. While confined to his hospital room, the outpouring of support that Larsen received in the form of daily visitors and dozens of floral arrangements immediately aided his long recovery. When Larsen was capable of leaving his room he noticed how many of his fellow patients did not have visitors or flowers – the very thing that helped him so much in those early and difficult days. Within moments the first “random act of flowers” delivery was made, repurposing his flowers and delivering them to patients in nearby hospital rooms. The memories of how a simple gesture affected his fellow patients compelled Larsen and his wife Adrian to form Random Act of Flowers in 2008 with a simple mission; to collect donated flowers from weddings, memorial services, florists, special events, grocery stores and churches and to recycle and repurpose them into beautiful bouquets for delivery to patients in area hospitals, senior care facilities and hospice centers. In just a few short years, RAF has held a strong presence in Knoxville, Tennessee and also opened branches in Pinellas County, Florida and Greeneville, Tennessee. As part of a national expansion strategy, additional branches of the charity are being developed in Salt Lake City, UT, Cincinnati, OH, Chicago, IL, Silicon Valley Area, CA, Indianapolis, IN and Los Angeles, CA.

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