'Tis the Season Year-Round for Flowers for Powers

Written by Margie Pensak, a Baltimore-based freelance writer; photos by Esky Cook, a Baltimore-based photographer

Even though the holiday season has come to an end, goodwill toward men (and women and children, too!) is something that Abby Levin and Lexi Thomas feel should continue year-round. To do their part, two years ago, the two spunky 12-year-olds created Flowers for Powers--with the mission of delivering flowers to the ill and elderly.Recently, the girls, together with Abby’s mother, Lisa, delivered cheerful, healing flowers--together with their infectious smiles--to the residents of Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center’s Households.

The close friends came up with the idea, as 10-year-olds, when they were having a sleepover. They woke up early and noticed the beautiful flowers growing while jumping on a trampoline. After they picked them and brought them indoors, they brainstormed the idea of taking them to local hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living centers. Since their first delivery, the girls have delivered flowers to more than two thousand people. They never thought of turning it into a non-profit foundation, but it was such a huge success, donations started to roll in. All the funds go back to the foundation to help buy vases, make t-shirts for their fundraising walks, promotion materials, toys for children, and fuel used for transportation.

“Abby and Lexi came up with this on their own,” explains Lisa. “It was a way for Abby to remember her grandmothers. Lexi wanted to support her and do a good thing. They both enjoy doing things for others. They love seeing the smiles on their recipients’ faces. It is touching to watch Abby do this in memory of my mother, Gail Davis, and my mother-in-law, Judy Levin.”

Lexi’s mother, Sherri, adds, “Watching Lexi give back to our wonderful community makes me feel so proud of her. She’s learning at such a young age, the importance of taking care of others.”

Of course, both Abby’s and Lexi’s mothers work behind the scenes of this huge cherished project so things run smoothly. Sherri works for approximately 30 hours a month, constantly marketing and doing PR for Flowers for Powers on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

“Flowers and Fancies in Owings Mills donates all the flowers,” continues Lisa, who together with Sherri is an integral part of scheduling the visits, helping make arrangements, collecting donations and transporting the girls to their destinations. “When Flowers and Fancies is not busy, the girls make the floral arrangements at their facility. Otherwise we pick up the flowers and make them at my house.”

“Sherri and I wish we had more time and could do this 24 hours a day,” remarked Lisa. “It is hard with two 12-year-old girls who are very active, and of course, now is Bar/ Bat Mitzvah season so they are busy.”

To date, some of the places that Flowers for Powers have been distributed in are: Sinai Hospital, the Hackerman-Patz House at Sinai Hospital, GBMC, John Hopkins, St. Joseph‘s, the VA Hospital, Futurecare, the Ronald McDonald House, Hope Lodge, and The Atrium.

Just a couple of the typical, rewarding comments that the girls have received when giving out their flowers, are: “Thank you for making my day. I was dreading chemotherapy and this just lifted my spirits” and “You will never know how much this means to me. Your bright cheerful smiles and warm hugs changed my day!!”

Concludes Lisa, “It is always touching whenever patients ask if they can please hug the girls or they are asked to take a picture to remember their visit. It continues to reaffirm the importance of the heartfelt work they are doing.”