In Harrisonburg, Virginia, a city founded in 1779, Rebecca Shelly and Laura Ruth are revolutionizing the way we think about floral arrangements. Their nonprofit, Friendly City Florals, breathes new life into discarded blooms, transforming potential waste into sources of joy for those who need it most.
The idea sprouted from a poignant experience. Shelly recalls a lavish wedding in North Carolina where countless peonies and roses, part of a high-budget floral display, were destined for disposal. This wasteful scene planted a seed in her mind, one that would later bloom into a meaningful initiative.
"We collected as many as we could in our cars, but there were so many left over, they would have filled two U-Haul trucks,"
The concept for Friendly City Florals fully blossomed when Shelly and Ruth were mourning their fathers. Amidst their grief, they noticed the abundance of sympathy flowers and pondered how to extend their comforting presence to others in need.
Since March, the duo has dedicated several days each week to collecting, refreshing, and delivering flowers to various community establishments. Their efforts have brightened the days of residents in senior care homes, patients in hospitals, and individuals in counseling centers and mental health agencies.
Local gardeners have embraced the initiative, donating a variety of blooms. Judy Leaman, 68, contributes snapdragons, coneflowers, and lisianthus from her garden. These flowers, native to diverse regions from Europe to the Americas, now bring smiles to faces across Harrisonburg.
The impact of Friendly City Florals extends beyond mere aesthetics. Studies have shown that flowers can positively affect mood and emotional well-being, a fact not lost on the recipients of these repurposed bouquets. At the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, founded in 1954, residents like Dot Misner, 90, find joy in the colorful arrangements.
While similar initiatives exist elsewhere, Shelly and Ruth hope their model will inspire more communities to address floral waste. The global cut flower market, valued at approximately $30 billion in 2019, presents ample opportunity for such programs.
The nonprofit's work has taken on additional meaning in times of tragedy. Recently, they repurposed funeral flowers to honor Caly Guyer, a 17-year-old who died in a car accident, creating a touching tribute that involved the entire Bridgewater Retirement Community.
For Shelly, this work connects her to a family legacy. Her great-grandmother delivered flowers to hospitals in Virginia during the 1930s and 1940s, a tradition that now continues through Friendly City Florals.
As they move forward, Shelly and Ruth remain committed to their mission of spreading joy through flowers. In doing so, they're not only reducing waste but also cultivating a community where beauty and compassion flourish side by side.