Easter seems to be a good time to push ahead with my Mansion Fresh Flowers project. I call it that, but my hope is it becomes something we keep on doing, it is one of those small acts of great kindness that matters.
Finally, I’ve found a florist who can help with this project and create beautiful floral arrangements at a generous and wonderful price – that’s Heide at Country Power Products in Greenwich, N.Y..
I’m not a Christian, but I believe in Christ’s notions of doing good and helping the vulnerable and the needy have helped me find meaning in my life, a kind of resurrection all its own.
Two weeks ago, I launched the Mansion Flower Project, my plan is to have fresh flowers in small and beautiful bouquets on every table in the Mansion dining room, and on every table in the Memory Care unit.
When I asked for support, the war in Ukraine was especially shocking and intense, and I didn’t get a lot of responses, which I completely understand. I backed off, but I’m trying again, being the mule that I am, Easter has me all fired up.
The idea is replace the flowers – Heidi from Country Power in Greenwich is supplying the jar vases – and bring them to the Mansion when they dry out, every three or four weeks. We need 12 bouquets each time and the total cost is between $90 and $100.
Everyone in both places who sits down to eat three times a day will see and smell fresh flowers at their tables. This is more important than you might think – colorful and living things refresh and inspire the residents.
So once again, I’m asking for support for the flowers project. You can contribute via Paypal, [email protected] or via Venmo, Jon-Katz@Jon-Katz-13.
You can also send a check to Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O.Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Please write “flowers” in the memo line if that;s where you want your donation to go. And thanks.
The next wave (above) goes to the Mansion on Easter morning, tomorrow. I love seeing the resident’s faces when they see these flowers, Maria and Zinnia and I will be there.
Happy Easter.
Hi Jon,
I think that is a worthwhile endeavor, and I will be supporting it. My Dad owned a plant nursery for about 20 years, and I never got the flower or plant thing. I was a young male who thought he knew everything. But after looking back at what made my Dad happy-growing things- and researching the effects of being around growing living things from plants to trees, I know that flowers directly impact people’s moods. One study I came across stated:
.”Having flowers around the home and office greatly improves people’s moods and reduces the likelihood of stress-related depression. In addition, flowers and ornamental plants increase positive energy levels and help people feel secure and relaxed.”
In Japan, they take a forest bath and claim it promotes overall improvement in mental and physical well-being. Much research had many positive conclusions about flowers, plants, and trees.
Even if people think it might be frivolous in light of other problems in the world, having flowers routinely there will affect people’s mood possibly without even knowing it. I’ve come to a conclusion in my old age that all living organisms help people by stimulating hormones and enzymes that reduce stress. So I think it would be a welcome addition there. Only positive changes would come from such a practice. Good luck in your endeavor.