Petaluma Group's 30-Year Mother's Day Tradition Still Planned

PETALUMA, CA — Coronavirus won't put a stop to a Petaluma nonprofit group's 30-year Mother's Day tradition. Just as in years past, volunteers will pick up, arrange and deliver Mother's Day bouquets to seniors at long-term care facilities in Sonoma County.

With flowers generously donated by local growers, Senior Advocacy Services and its faithful volunteers are preparing to assemble and deliver 400 bouquets Friday to isolated residents who generally spend Mother's Day alone, according to a news release Wednesday from the nonprofit.

"For some residents, they have no one who visits or remembers them on Mother’s Day," said Crista Barnett Nelson, executive director of Senior Advocacy Services, a nonprofit agency that advocates for the rights and dignity of those experiencing health and aging challenges.

"Over thirty years ago, the Ombudsman at Senior Advocacy Services wanted to do something to make a difference for these residents," Nelson said. "They envisioned being able to deliver a bouquet of flowers to every one of these women showing that someone still cared about them, that they weren’t alone in the world. Out of this vision the Mother’s Day Flowers program was born."

Members of the public are invited to show their support for the work of Senior Advocacy Services by sponsoring a Mother's Day bouquet for a donation of $25. Bouquets can be named in honor of a loved one or donated anonymously.

The nonprofit has three programs: HICAP, Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the Elder Justice Initiative. Contributions to the Mother's Day flowers support the Ombudsman program, which prevents and responds to abuse or neglect while informing residents of their rights and protections, the group said.

More information is posted at Senioradvocacyservices.org/all-events/mothers-day-flowers/.