Chatham Florist Prepares To 'Petal It Forward' On Oct. 19

CHATHAM, NJ — If someone gives you flowers in Chatham on Wednesday, don't be surprised. It's Petal It Forward day, a nationwide collaborative to spread random acts of kindness.

Sunnywoods Florist of Chatham is participating as usual this year, despite a devastating fire at a neighboring business that has forced the shop to close.

Owner Rosa Marsal and another Sunnywoods employee will be out in the community giving random people two bouquets: one to keep, and one to give away (or "petal it forward").

Petal it Forward Day, organized by the Society of American Florists (SAF), is designed to spread joy and reduce stress.

"It's my favorite day of the year," Marsal told Patch.

Petal it Forward "has been challenging the last few years with COVID, "she added, "but we managed to do it and make a lot of people happy."

Marsal said the giveaway will be more "low-key" this year, but that Sunnywoods is giving flowers out as usual.

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.

Marsal told Patch the shop is under construction and should reopen fully in January.