Petal It Forward is something that Lani Moeller and her volunteer staff at Unity Point Hospital look forward to every year. “We just love this event,” said the floral supervisor of the Iowa hospital’s gift shops. “It truly is one of the highlights of the year.”
They were among the 457 local events participating in the 2018 Petal It Forward. Since 2015, the Society of American Florists has led the industry in Petal It Forward. During this flower giveaway, consumers receive two bouquets (or flowers) — one to keep and one to share — to demonstrate the Rutgers University research that shows flowers make people happy. Lucky recipients are asked to post a picture about their experience on social media with the hashtag #petalitforward.
In 2018, Moeller and her gift shop volunteers handed out 230 bouquets around the Des Moines hospital campus and she said the event is a direct example of Unity Point’s company culture and values.
“Petal It Forward captures every aspect of our culture,” Moeller said. “Our gift shop motto is ‘You Shop, We Give’ because all of the proceeds from the gift shop go directly back to the hospital through nursing programs and other outlets. We sell a lot of flowers here, but to be able to spread some cheer at no cost to recipients is as joyful to me and our volunteers as it is to the people who receive them.”
The event was so successful that Moeller wants to expand this year’s Petal It Forward event to all three hospital campuses.
“The response was just amazing,” she said. “Here at the hospital, we understand that a lot of people may not be having their best day and being able to spread a little cheer was so wonderful.”
Moeller said the overall reaction throughout the day was disbelief.
“People couldn’t believe we were handing out bouquets for free,” she said. “Even people that we see every day were surprised. People always joke when we roll a cart of flowers down the hall, often saying ‘Are you bringing those for me?’ and when we said, ‘Actually, yes, these are for you’ and handed them two bouquets, it was great to watch their reactions.”
Moeller and her volunteer team tried to reach as many areas in the hospital as possible, handing out bouquets in the emergency department, nursing stations and patient floors – especially to patients in long-term care who might not necessarily receive many visitors.
The team also made it a priority to visit the pathology lab that is tucked away on a lower level and doesn’t see a lot of traffic. “The patients and employees there were overwhelmed with happiness that we made a special trip to make sure they were included,” said Moeller.
“The reward that you get from participating is unlike any kind reward and the difference it makes is unbelievable,” adds Moeller. “Anyone who works in the floral industry, knows that we are in the business of feelings. It’s at our core.”
SAF is compiling a list of participating floral teams holding events on October 23. Members are encouraged to fill out the participation form at safnow.org/pifform.
Get ready to Petal It Forward. SAF provides members with advice, as well as easy-to-implement materials such as a Flower Card Template, T-shirt template, and a sample Media Advisory at safnow.org/pif.
Renee Houston Zemanski is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.
