Spreading Joy Through Flowers: Raritan Florist Will Petal It Forward

RARITAN, NJ — For four generations the Angelone family has been spreading joy through their flowers. On Wednesday they will continue that effort as they participate in the nationwide random-acts-of-kindness effort called Petal It Forward.

"We have been here in this location in Raritan for 75 years. Our family is from Raritan and our roots are here. Whenever a chance to give back to our community we jump at it," said Angelone.
"Through the positive effects of flowers, we hope to make someone’s day brighter and provide a
much-needed moment of calm amidst the hectic pace of life."

Organized by the Society of American Florists (SAF), of which Angelone’s Florist is a member, the event is designed to help people start their day with more smiles and less stress.

John Angelone and his father Lynn, are owners of the florist at 101 2nd Ave., will surprise unsuspecting people passing by in Raritan with two free flower bouquets each — one to keep and one to give to away to a friend, family member, colleague, or even a stranger.

Angelone previously participated in the effort in 2019 in Somerville and said seeing the faces of those people he surprised was the best feeling.

"Some people just need a pick me up. It really just shows the power of gifting flowers," said Angelone.

On Wednesday, Angelone will give away 200 bouquets to "try to and make the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time."

Along with putting a smile on strangers' faces, the effort illustrates research from the University of North Florida (UNF) that shows living with flowers reduces stress, according to SAF.

A survey by Wakefield Research in July showed that 68 percent of Americans experience stress weekly, and 32 percent report feeling stressed daily. Women are even more affected, with 25 percent reporting feeling stress multiple times a day, according to SAF.

Lynn Angelone noted that the concept to keep a flower and giving one had multiple benefits. She said statistics showed while 80 percent of people reported receiving flowers makes them happy, even more (88 percent) said that giving flowers makes them happy.

"We want to give people the chance to experience both," said John and Lynn. "Over the many years of being in business, we have seen the power that flowers have to express emotion. Whether it be sympathy, love, a birthday, or the best reason, just because, flowers can either convey, express or elicit that emotion from someone. What we are doing here is proving the science, showing both sides, what it's like to receive flowers and what it's like to give flowers and in todays times it can be just what people need."

Along with flowers, the Angelones are encouraging locals to continue to pay it forward with a donation drive they will hold at the shop on Wednesday to benefit the Raritan Food Bank and the Raritan Pregnancy Aid Center.

"People can bring food or baby items and we can all just continue with Paying it Forward!" said Angelone.

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