NORTH WALES – On Tuesday evening at The Rhoads Garden, members of the North Penn and Souderton Area Girl Scout Troops donned aprons and tried their hand at floristry with the goal of bringing smiles to the faces of deserving individuals.
“I can’t wait to see what they do when they see them,” said 11-year-old Girl Scout Sarah Lescher.
For the past 13 years, Teleflora, a national flowery delivery company that works directly with local florists, has sponsored its annual “Make Someone Smile Week.” According to the company’s press release, this year volunteers will distribute more than 30,000 Be Happy® bouquets to hospitals patients, seniors in retirement communities, children in foster care, and other individuals who may be in need of a smile.
At The Rhoads Garden in North Wales, the Girl Scouts joined professional florists from shops in Southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey belonging to Teleflora’s network in designing 514 bouquets placed in Teleflora’s trademark, smiley face mugs.
With the help of donations from Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist, Pennock Floral, Sieck-Wright Floral Products, and Haines Greenhouse, Inc., a sweet-smelling surprise will greet individuals at Foulkeways retirement community, the Wiley Christian Retirement Community, Brightview Greentree Assisted Living, the Brunswick assisted living community at Attleboro, the Chester Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and the Brandywine Hall Nursing Home.
“I feel lucky that I get to be a florist and make people happy. This is our florist charity to help people that don’t normally get flowers, to put a smile on their face. I’m giving back, that’s what I’m doing here, and I love it, and I’m glad for the opportunity,” said volunteer and Teleflora board member, Linda Lord of Bakanas Flowers in Marlton, N.J.
During her six years working with The Rhoads Garden in its efforts to “Make Someone Smile,” Floral Manager Renee Tucci said that she has seen the program grow, helping bring joy to and touch the lives of more people each year.
