Louisville Volunteers: 90,000 Vases Delivered to Hospice and Shelters

The Flower Buds have delivered more than 90,000 vases of cut flowers to care facilities and shelters in the Louisville area since 2006. The group, which operates out of Crescent Hill Baptist Church, is marking this cumulative total as it continues its weekly delivery schedule.

The organization processes approximately 100 vases every week. Volunteers collect donations from weddings, funerals, wholesalers, supermarkets, florists, galas, and banquets. Jodie Raible, a volunteer, noted that stores such as Kroger allow the group to pick up overbought inventory that would otherwise be discarded. The volunteers cut, clean, and arrange the blooms before transporting them to recipients.

Stephanie Mullins, a member for 18 years, delivers flowers to Up for Women and Children, a day homeless shelter for women. Clem Russell, a veteran and volunteer, focuses on the hospice unit at the VA hospital. Russell stated that families express happiness when the flowers arrive, noting that patients in the end stages of life appreciate the visual cheer.

The group began with six to eight participants. It has since expanded to 40 active volunteers who gather each week to arrange the donations. The recipients include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and the VA hospital. Raible described the effort as a way to provide comfort to individuals facing serious illness.

Mullins said she joined the group upon retirement because of her interest in floral work. She emphasized that the flowers are redirected from garbage to active use in care settings. The Flower Buds continue to accept donations from local businesses and community events to maintain their weekly output.