Wire service collaborates with American
Institute of Floral Designers and state floral associations to
raise funds, provide support
As widely reported, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma were two of the
most intense and destructive storms ever to strike the United
States, with Texas receiving the brunt of Harvey’s rain-soaked fury
and Florida experiencing Irma’s incredibly powerful winds and
dangerous storm surge.
Millions of residents and many businesses throughout the Gulf
Coast region and the southeastern U.S., as well as Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands, were affected by the storms. Among those
hardest hit, were retail flower shops, many of which found
themselves in dire need of assistance. Immediately following the
storms, BloomNet®, an international wire service and world-class
business solutions provider, teamed with several floral industry
associations, taking the lead in generating much-needed support for
retail florists in Texas and Florida.
Recognizing that relief efforts for hurricane-impacted florists
would yield greater results if the entire floral industry
participated, BloomNet collaborated with the American Institute of
Floral Designers and its AIFD Foundation, as well as with the Texas
State Florists’ Association and the Florida State Florists’
Association. Two separate relief funds were established urging
florists nationwide to contribute to the funds, whether they were
part of the BloomNet network or not.
“Through the Hurricane Harvey Florist Fund and the Hurricane
Irma Florist Fund, BloomNet is committed to taking a proactive role
in assisting retail florists during this very challenging time,
doing our part to help florists rebuild their shops and their
lives,” said Mark Nance, AAF, President of BloomNet. “We’re pleased
that, in addition to proceeds from these funds going to florists,
BloomNet will match donations made by BloomNet Florists, now
through December 31, 2017.”
Complementing the financial relief efforts, BloomNet has
implemented a hurricane assistance plan for flower shops in Texas
and Florida, working closely with shop owners to help get their
businesses up and running again. As part of this effort, BloomNet
has been providing shops with items such as floral supplies, fresh
flowers, vases, new marketing materials, and computer
equipment.
“Throughout these catastrophic events, one thing became clearly
evident - the floral industry is not just a business. It is a
remarkable community, a close-knit family of loving and caring
people who are resilient and come together to support each other
for the greater good. It is a beautiful testament to our industry
and to the amazing people who enable our floral industry to
thrive,” said Lisa Carmichael, Vice President of Marketing &
New Business Development, BloomNet.
Lynn Lary McLean, AAF AIFD PFCI TMF, Chief Executive Officer of
The AIFD Foundation, stated: “The AIFD Foundation is primarily
dedicated to the education of floral designers worldwide. Through
the catastrophic component within the structure of the Foundation,
we extend our commitment to the floral industry through
two hurricane relief funds, calling upon the entire
florist community nationwide to do what they can in helping to
rebuild the floral industry in both Texas and Florida.”
Dianna Nordman, AAF, Executive Director of the Texas State
Florists’ Association, stated: “We thank BloomNet, The AIFD
Foundation and retail florists all over the United States for their
energy, resources and generous financial support. TSFA is very
grateful for all you are doing to help the florists of Texas in
this time of need.”
Angela Tully, AIFD FSMD, President of the Florida State
Florists’ Association, stated: “On behalf of our
Association and the florists throughout Florida, we want to
express our thanks to BloomNet, The AIFD Foundation, and to our
fellow florists and industry companies in other states far and
near. Your tremendous kindness and generosity are greatly
appreciated during this difficult time in the Sunshine State.”
To donate to the Hurricane Harvey Florist Fund and the
Hurricane Irma Florist Fund or to apply for a Hurricane Florist
Fund Grant, go to: aifdfoundation.org/
About BloomNet®
As the leading floral industry service provider, BloomNet, Inc.
(www.bloomnet.net), a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,
Inc., is focused on continually exceeding the expectations of its
select community of Florists. Retail Florists across the nation and
around the globe rely upon BloomNet as their trusted source for
unique personalized service, comprehensive florist care, innovative
programs, and quality products designed to increase their
viability. BloomNet is committed to working side by side with our
Florists to foster industry education, build community, and develop
long term relationships built on trust, commitment, and
dependability.
About AIFD and The AIFD Foundation
Established in 1965, the American Institute of Floral Designers
is, today, the floral industry’s leading non-profit organization
dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest
standard of professional floral design. The mission of AIFD is to
advance the art of professional floral design through education,
service and leadership, and to recognize the achievement of
excellence in this art form. The AIFD Foundation was established as
an umbrella organization for all future funds and projects, with a
single group of trustees having responsibility for all activities.
The Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support for
educational purposes, scholarships, projects and programs that
facilitate the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the
field of floral design and related fields.
About TSFA
The Texas State Florists’ Association, founded in 1914, is a
professional trade association for all branches of the floral
industry including retailers, wholesalers, growers, manufacturers
of floral products and supplies, brokers, shippers, importers,
interior plantscapers, and others who service the floral industry.
TSFA’s mission is to cultivate Member Success and a Strong Floral
Community. The varied membership, bound together by common
interests, also includes students, retired florists, university
professors and researchers. TSFA represents and serves the floral
industry in Texas and has members in twenty-six other states,
Mexico and Canada.
About FSFA
The Florida State Florists’ Association, founded in 1922, is a
not-for-profit educational trade association of florists and
related industries dedicated to helping both new and veteran
florists provide better service to customers, as well as to one
another. FSFA is committed to providing education to both
members of the floral industry and the public. FSFA’s objectives
are to: cultivate friendly relationships; promote mutual
understanding and foster the solidarity of all of its members;
promote the interests of and educate both its members and the
public in the floral industry; and encourage high ethical standards
in business and professional conduct.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170921005877/en/
Floral Community Industry Contact:Lisa Carmichael,
516-237-7948lcarmichael@bloomnet.netorMedia Contact:Liz
Castoro, 516-237-4867lcastoro@1-800-Flowers.com
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