Presence Health Patients Get Surprise Pick-Me-Up from Random Acts of Flowers

Patients throughout Chicagoland were treated to a big Valentine’s surprise as Random Acts of Flowers Chicago distributed bouquets to hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab and hospice centers. Hundreds of flower bouquets were donated by FTD/ProFlowers, local flower wholesalers and grocery stores.

“It was beautiful to see the faces of these patients light up when we arrived at their room,” said Anitha George, director of Patient and Family Centered Care at Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, 2233 W. Division St. “A hospital is not where most people want to be on Valentine’s Day. So we were so glad for the opportunity to partner up with Random Acts of Flowers to give these patients a wonderful gift.”

Joanie Bayhack, executive director, Random Acts of Flowers Chicago, was among the volunteers distributing flowers to patients. “There is no greater feeling than to surprise someone with a beautiful bouquet. It symbolizes a moment of kindness and connection between two people. Our volunteers have special empathetic and compassionate hearts. We truly believe -- and it has been proven through Harvard studies -- that flowers heal the body, heart and soul. Whether we are delivering flowers to a new mother and her new baby or to an 80-year old patient learning to walk again on the rehab floor, the joy of flowers is universal.”

Random Acts of Flowers (RAF) recycles and repurposes flowers. As a recycling “green” nonprofit organization run almost entirely by volunteers, RAF is committed to nourishing the health of the environment, individuals, and the community. To date, RAF has kept more than 100,000 vases out of landfills.