A floral designer in Idaho recycles donated fresh flowers to bring cheer to many patients in local care facilities and hospices in Idaho. It all started out as an act of kindness. Shawn Chamberlain, a floral designer and founder of Full Bloom, used to tend to the wildflowers growing in a garden near a hospice. One late afternoon, she saw a young mother looking out a window of a hospice room. Shawn said she felt something tug at her heart and wanted to cheer up the young mom. And with only wildflowers around her, she quickly created a posy, gave it to a nurse and told her to give it to the patient she saw and to tell her that someone is thinking of her.
That started the establishment of Full Bloom, which according to Shawn Chamberlain is a service organization that delivers recycled fresh flowers to patients in care facilities, hospices, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. She further explained that flowers are used to convey many emotions and feelings and that flowers give a bit of sunshine into the lives of many patients.
Donated flowers
Full Bloom only works with donated flowers from weddings, events, churches, gardeners, florists, grocery stores, even memorial services. The flowers could be directly delivered to Shawn’s office or arranged to be picked up after the event. Shawn said that she enjoys receiving flower donations from weddings because the flowers have been chosen and arranged by expert florists in coordination with the bride, which somehow reflects the bride’s tastes and style.
She takes these fresh flower arrangements apart and turn them into several bedside bouquets that would be delivered to various patients with a variety of medical conditions in her locality. Some of her regular recipients are the Hospice House at Hummingbird Fields and the Hospice of North Idaho.
Full Bloom firmly believes that flowers have the power to comfort and reduce stress to those who are dealing with grief, serious illnesses, sickness and injuries, especially those people who have little or no family near them. From the beginning, when she sent that quickly assembled bouquet to cheer a new mom, she wanted patients to know that someone cares for them. And the flowers not only give cheer to patients, they also uplift the spirits of family members, nurses, doctors and caregivers.
The organization accepts donations of gently used fresh flowers. It also accepts financial donations, and likewise raises funds through local events.
Copyright: marysmn / 123RF Stock Photo
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