90,000 vases delivered by Louisville volunteer group since 2006

Louisville residents gain access to fresh floral arrangements in medical and social care facilities thanks to a weekly volunteer operation. The Flower Buds group delivers approximately 100 vases every week to nursing homes, the VA hospital, assisted living facilities, and shelters. These arrangements come from donated flowers that would otherwise be discarded.

The group began operations in 2006. It started with six to eight volunteers. The roster has grown to 40 members. Stephanie Mullins, a volunteer, has participated for 18 years. She joined the group after retiring. Mullins said she loves flowers and wanted this specific role after leaving her career.

Volunteers collect blooms from weddings, funerals, wholesalers, supermarkets, florists, galas, and banquets. Jodie Raible, a volunteer, noted that stores like Kroger often overbuy flowers. When these stores cannot sell the excess stock, they allow the group to pick up the inventory. The volunteers then cut, clean, and arrange the stems into vases at Crescent Hill Baptist Church.

The delivery network includes the VA hospital hospice unit. Clem Russell, a veteran volunteer, handles deliveries to that location. Russell stated that the families in the hospice unit are happy to see the flowers arrive. Raible added that patients in the end stages of life appreciate the visual cheer.

The group also serves Up for Women and Children, a day homeless shelter for women. Mullins personally delivers flowers to this facility. The organization tracks its cumulative output. Since starting in 2006, the Flower Buds have delivered more than 90,000 vases.

Mullins emphasized the practical benefit of the program. She said the flowers would otherwise be thrown in the garbage. The group puts them to good use instead. The weekly gathering at the church remains focused on arranging and distributing these donated items.