The Lindsay Garden Club is striving to make joy blossom again this holiday season for seniors living in long-term care homes in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Garden club members are prepping for their second annual “Flower Power” Christmas initiative, which is a project that delivers hundreds of flowering plants and personalized Christmas cards to older adults in the community.
The project celebrates the spirit of giving and aims to bring warmth and joy to residents who may not be able to spend the season with loved ones, said garden club member Jen Lopinski.
“We hope that that the flowering plants and Christmas cards will bring joy to the seniors in long-term care homes in our community and that perhaps other clubs will also become inspired to do this in their community,” Lopinski told kawarthaNOW.
“Spread the love — one flower at a time.”
Lindsay Garden Club volunteers will roll up their sleeves on Wednesday (December 4) to pack and deliver more than 700 brightly coloured Kalanchoe plants, along with the Christmas cards prepared by area schoolchildren.
A team of seven committee members worked together to make the project bloom. Their efforts included collaborating with schools, working with staff from long-term care and retirement homes, and consulting with Kawartha Classic Flowers, which helped the club get a good wholesale price on the flowers.
“This involved countless hours of brainstorming, organizing, and fundraising, and (securing) financial support from local businesses,” Lopinski said.
More than 30 volunteers from the Lindsay Garden Club will help finalize the project and spend two days packing and coordinating the deliveries.
“We know that the holiday season can be a difficult time for many in long-term care, especially those who may not receive frequent visits,” said Lindsay Garden Club member Kim McGee in a media release.
“The Flower Power Christmas initiative is our way of letting these residents know they are not alone and that they’re remembered and cherished by their community.”
Students at the following schools prepared the specially crafted cards to accompany each flowering plant: Alexandra Public School, St. John Paul II Elementary School, St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary, School, Parkview Public School, King Albert Public School, Queen Victoria Public School, St. Dominic School Catholic Elementary School, and Heritage Christian School.
“By connecting the beauty of nature with the magic of the holiday season, the Flower Power Christmas initiative strives to brighten the lives of those who need it most, bringing comfort and companionship through the simple, thoughtful gesture of a beautiful plant,” the release noted.
The Lindsay Garden Club is giving a shout-out to the schoolchildren, Kawartha Classic Flowers, sponsors, and volunteers who made the initiative flourish.
For more information on how to support the Flower Power Christmas initiative or to get involved, email Patty Carlson at patty.carlson123@gmail.com.
For more information about the Lindsay Garden Club, visit lindsaygardenclub.com.
