ARKANSAS, USA — A new nonprofit brings joy to local nursing homes through repurposed flower arrangements.
Grateful Vase delivers floral arrangements from leftover flowers from events to long-term care facilities in Northwest Arkansas and Springfield, Missouri.
The organization’s founder, Lindsey Curry, said she had the idea when she was part of a bridal event that had a lot of leftover flowers and instead of throwing them away, she took them to a nursing home nearby.
Now, Grateful Vase is giving others the opportunity to do the same.
“I have been a part of a lot of weddings and showers, very blessed to say that, including my own,” Curry said. “I noticed a common problem where people don't know what to do with their flowers after the their event, so they just end up going in the trash. I really wanted a win-win situation where we could reduce floral waste, but then serve those that might need a way to brighten their day.”
If you host an event with flowers, you can request a pickup through Grateful Vase’s Instagram or website.
The team will pick up your flowers when your event is over. The donated flowers are then repurposed into floral arrangements, which are delivered to a local care facility.
The mission of brightening up those spaces is something close to Curry’s heart, as she spent time with her own grandparents in nursing homes.
“My grandparents were very close to me, and three of the four were in a long-term care facility at the end of their life, so we visited quite often,” Curry said. “I just wanted to bring the joy that they brought me to other grandparents and other family members because it is an environment that means a lot to me, and I want to spread joy and bring a little light to this community that sometimes might have dark days.”
You can help Grateful Vase continue its mission of serving local long-term care facilities by donating your used flower arrangements, balloon arches, and vases. You can also sign up to volunteer for its events through its Instagram or website.
The organization’s next event is a vase drive on July 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Tesori Bridal in Fayetteville.
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