Free flowers make friendships bloom
A longtime Spokane Valley florist inspired random acts of kindness by holding a massive flower giveaway on Wednesday.
Appleway Florist and Greenhouse passed out 2,400 carnations, in bunches of a dozen, to those who pledged to keep one flower and share the rest with 11 other people.
People stopping by for carnations also brought donations for the Spokane Valley Food Bank.
Among the group was Leona Robinson, a 71-year-old who lives near the florist shop at 11006 E. Sprague Ave. She dropped off a food donation and left with orange carnations to share with neighbors at her apartment complex.
“I thought it was a great idea. Anything that goes to the food bank I’m always for,” Robinson said.
It’s the second year that Appleway Florist participated in FTD Good Neighbor Day. The event began 11 years ago when florists nationwide started passing out free flowers to promote friendship.
“Last year we got thank you notes, we got calls and we got e-mails. They just thought it was a great idea, so that made us feel even better,” said Sue Bartleson, who owns the 53-year-old family florist with her three brothers.
Giving away 200 dozen flowers isn’t cheap, but Bartleson shrugged off the goodwill promotion. “It’s the way it makes you feel. The cost is minimal compared to that.”
Within the first hour almost 50 people picked up flowers to give to friends, family, co-workers, neighbors and customers.
John Klepinger, a 70-year-old food bank volunteer, wanted to thank two dedicated helpers.
“I’m going to deliver (these) to a couple of ladies over at Snyder’s Bakery Outlet,” Klepinger said.
Klepinger then drove his Dodge pickup down Sprague Avenue, walked into the store and presented Carley Merritt, 50, and Teresa Petschel, 34, with pink carnations.
He praised them for securing bread donations for area food banks and handed Merritt a flower, saying, “You do good.”
Merritt returned the compliment, adding, “That was nice. It made my day.”
As Klepinger walked out the door, Merritt said, “He’s like one in a million. They don’t make them like that anymore.”
Tricia Culnane, 23, picked up a dozen red carnations to give to co-workers and customers of Payless Shoe Source, hoping to touch off a ripple of good deeds.
“You start with one person and then five people and it spreads.”