You just never know when inspiration will come! The Flower Shuttle program for Raleigh, NC was inspired by an article in Oprah Magazine in February of 2006. The article told the story of a woman in New York City who was appalled at the number of flowers thrown away after events. She began a foundation to recycle flowers to those in need. This article became the catalyst for the birth of The Flower Shuttle.
Organizers sought help from Raleigh Moravian Church which agreed to support this program as a Community Outreach Project. Raleigh Moravian Church and its Women's Ministry gave $700 in seed money to start The Flower Shuttle in March of 2006.
Thanks to 100+ Flower Shuttle volunteers, flowers that were being thrown away by florists/floral departments and after special events, funerals, and weddings are now recycled to people living with sickness, terminal illness, poverty and disability. For a current listing of where Flower Shuttle arrangements are being delivered, please see the "Recipients" list on this page.
The Flower Shuttle project has been a blessing to all involved, from those donating the flowers to those rearranging, and most importantly to our recipients. We have all realized the power that flowers can have when given as an expression of love and care.
For more information on helping us spread our vision, please visit our Volunteer page, or contact us at theflowershuttle@gmail.com.
We are currently delivering flower arrangements to the following locations subject to safety restrictions:
A to Z Thrift
Abbottswood - Raleigh
AIDs Alliance
ARC
Brittany Place at Searstone
Brookdale at MacArthur Carolina House
Cambridge Village Senior Home
Capital Nursing
Capital Oaks Retirement Center
Capital Towers
Cary Health and Rehabilitation
Chatham Commons
Dress For Success
Duke Raleigh Hospital
Durant Rd EMS #15
Elmcroft
Green Chair
Healing Transitions - Women's Campus
Heartfields at Cary
Helen Wright Center
Hillcrest Rehabilitation
InterAct
Litchford Nursing and Rehabilitation
Mayview: The Oaks at Whitaker Glen
NCSU Feed the Pack Food Bank
New Bern House
Phoenix Assisted Care
Refugee Hope Partners
Salvation Army
Spring Arbor
Sunrise Assisted
The Covington
The Women's Center - Raleigh
Total Life Center Bond Park
Total Life Center Departure
Transitions Life Care (Hospice)
UNC Rex Hospital
UNC Rex Nursing Care & Rehabilitation
Urban Ministries
Wake Medical Center - New Bern
Wake Medical Center West - Cary
Wake Medical Center - North Raleigh
Wake Senior Daycare - Cary
Waltonwood - Cary
Waltonwood - Raleigh
The Flower Shuttle Administrative Team works behind the scenes to keep The Flower Shuttle running smoothly. The team is made up of 13 members who each serve a 3-year term with Kathy Reece, our founder, as a permanent 14th member.
President - Eileen Taylor
President Elect - OPEN
Secretary - Elaine Wilson
Treasurer - Andy Dalgliesh
Founder/Advisor - Kathy Reece
Volunteer Coordinator - Jenny O'Brien
Vase Table Coordinator - Katherine McVey
Special Event Flower Coordinator - Vickie Presnell, vpresnell@mindspring.com
Flower Pick Up Coordinator -
Nancy Long
Floor Volunteer Coordinator -
Lisa Green
Flower Delivery/Load Out Coordinator - Carol Tillman
Hospitality Coordinator - Ann Frazier
Shed/Supplies - Anita Kuehne
Public Relations Coordinator/Website - Rena Hatcher
At Large - Deb Dalgliesh