how the seed was planted:
In 2007, Larsen Jay fell a story and half onto concrete when his ladder collapsed. He broke his left arm, left wrist, right wrist, right elbow, right femur and nose and he fractured his face in 10 places. He endured 11 surgeries and spent months in a wheelchair. During his hospitalization at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, he received an outpouring of love and support, which manifested in daily deliveries of bouquets to his room. Once he was able to venture down the hall a little, he realized other patients had empty rooms. He immediately began removing the cards of his flowers and delivering them from his wheelchair to other patients. Seeing the smile and the hope that comes from receiving flowers from a stranger made a huge impression on him. Larsen left his role as a film and television producer and formed Random Acts of Flowers in 2008.
bringing it to life:
All of the flowers, ribbons, floral foam, and vases are donated; nothing is purchased. They come from local florists and grocery stores who cannot sell the flowers because they have an expiration date. They also come from weddings, events, memorial services, and church functions.
Large companies and local schools hold vase drives, collecting vessels to be used. Anything that RAF cannot use is sold or repurposed. Nothing ever goes to waste. Even the stems that are cut or flowers that cannot be used are given to the Knoxville Botanical Garden to be used as compost – in combination with “zoo poo” from the Knoxville Zoo.
Each donated item is broken down and repurposed into a new, beautiful arrangement by volunteers. Many of the volunteers are regulars each week, and are bursting with joy as they busily prepare the bouquets and deliver the flowers in the donated van. RAF allows the caregivers and nurses to decide who receives flowers, because they know best who is most in need of a “pick-me-up.”
growing and growing:
Random Acts of Flowers now has branches in Greeneville, TN and Pinellas, FL. Currently, the expansion of RAF in Cincinnati and Salt Lake City are underway. Due to an overwhelming interest in this organization, RAF has established a national office to focus on development.
RAF has recently received a grant to reach those who are unable to leave their home. Therefore, they have expanded to delivering to Mobile Meals and will soon be delivering to mental health facilities. This affirming growth also poses challenges. Because the product is perishable and donated, it is impossible to plan or predict the exact number of bouquets that will be delivered.
in full bloom:
“My mother is in Parkwest Medical Center room 407. She was diagnosed with cancer and had to start chemotherapy on September 19,2013. She has been depressed and worried. Today Tuesday September 24,2013 we had a knock on the door. This wonderful gentleman walked in with a smile on his face told us where he was from and the beautiful arrangement of flowers. This really brightened her day. We both cried because it was very sweet and caring that a total stranger would do such an amazing thing. Thank you so much for making my mother and my day.”
“I have always loved the work that you do at Random Acts of Flowers. For the past 7 & 1/2 years, my mother Sally W, was a resident at Shannondale Health Care Center- Knoxville. Numerous times over the years, she was the lucky recipient of a floral gift from Random Acts of Flowers. She loved getting the flowers! The last gift that she received will always be the one that I remember the most as she received it on her birthday, Feb. 3rd, 2013. Within the past year, we went thru the vases here at her home & brought most of them to Random Acts of Flowers. In May 2013, my mother passed away. In her obituary, we chose to list Random Acts of Flowers as a place that people could make a donation instead of sending flowers. ”
“Thank you! Our residents love Random Acts of Flowers! I work in an assisted living community and it was amazing to see the difference a simple act of kindness could make in someones day. Our residents really appreciated the fact that someone took time out of their day to come say a friendly hello and deliver flowers to them. Thank you so much for blessing our community in this way.”
In 2007, Larsen Jay fell a story and half onto concrete when his ladder collapsed. He broke his left arm, left wrist, right wrist, right elbow, right femur and nose and he fractured his face in 10 places. He endured 11 surgeries and spent months in a wheelchair. During his hospitalization at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, he received an outpouring of love and support, which manifested in daily deliveries of bouquets to his room. Once he was able to venture down the hall a little, he realized other patients had empty rooms. He immediately began removing the cards of his flowers and delivering them from his wheelchair to other patients. Seeing the smile and the hope that comes from receiving flowers from a stranger made a huge impression on him. Larsen left his role as a film and television producer and formed Random Acts of Flowers in 2008.
bringing it to life:
All of the flowers, ribbons, floral foam, and vases are donated; nothing is purchased. They come from local florists and grocery stores who cannot sell the flowers because they have an expiration date. They also come from weddings, events, memorial services, and church functions.
Large companies and local schools hold vase drives, collecting vessels to be used. Anything that RAF cannot use is sold or repurposed. Nothing ever goes to waste. Even the stems that are cut or flowers that cannot be used are given to the Knoxville Botanical Garden to be used as compost – in combination with “zoo poo” from the Knoxville Zoo.
Each donated item is broken down and repurposed into a new, beautiful arrangement by volunteers. Many of the volunteers are regulars each week, and are bursting with joy as they busily prepare the bouquets and deliver the flowers in the donated van. RAF allows the caregivers and nurses to decide who receives flowers, because they know best who is most in need of a “pick-me-up.”
growing and growing:
Random Acts of Flowers now has branches in Greeneville, TN and Pinellas, FL. Currently, the expansion of RAF in Cincinnati and Salt Lake City are underway. Due to an overwhelming interest in this organization, RAF has established a national office to focus on development.
RAF has recently received a grant to reach those who are unable to leave their home. Therefore, they have expanded to delivering to Mobile Meals and will soon be delivering to mental health facilities. This affirming growth also poses challenges. Because the product is perishable and donated, it is impossible to plan or predict the exact number of bouquets that will be delivered.
in full bloom:
“My mother is in Parkwest Medical Center room 407. She was diagnosed with cancer and had to start chemotherapy on September 19,2013. She has been depressed and worried. Today Tuesday September 24,2013 we had a knock on the door. This wonderful gentleman walked in with a smile on his face told us where he was from and the beautiful arrangement of flowers. This really brightened her day. We both cried because it was very sweet and caring that a total stranger would do such an amazing thing. Thank you so much for making my mother and my day.”
“I have always loved the work that you do at Random Acts of Flowers. For the past 7 & 1/2 years, my mother Sally W, was a resident at Shannondale Health Care Center- Knoxville. Numerous times over the years, she was the lucky recipient of a floral gift from Random Acts of Flowers. She loved getting the flowers! The last gift that she received will always be the one that I remember the most as she received it on her birthday, Feb. 3rd, 2013. Within the past year, we went thru the vases here at her home & brought most of them to Random Acts of Flowers. In May 2013, my mother passed away. In her obituary, we chose to list Random Acts of Flowers as a place that people could make a donation instead of sending flowers. ”
“Thank you! Our residents love Random Acts of Flowers! I work in an assisted living community and it was amazing to see the difference a simple act of kindness could make in someones day. Our residents really appreciated the fact that someone took time out of their day to come say a friendly hello and deliver flowers to them. Thank you so much for blessing our community in this way.”
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random acts of flowers
2609 Hoitt Ave P.O. Box 27817 Knoxville, TN 37927 865-633-9082 [email protected] www.rafKnoxville.org |
Executive Director:
Larsen Jay [email protected] Director of Mission Fulfillment: Lorraine Burns [email protected] |
