A flower shop began a “bouquet a day initiative,” where customers purchase flowers to be delivered to an unsuspecting passerby, the shop’s staff said they wanted to plant seeds of joy in the community.
The Flower Hut, located downtown, started the initiative this summer and Tammy Hordy, the shop’s owner and florist, said the idea came to her while she was on her phone one weekend.
“I was scrolling on Facebook and on (a local group), all I saw was people being rude,” said Hordy. “It just got me thinking, we don’t give to one another enough and I think we need to – and you never know what someone’s going through, so why not put a smile on their face?”
She brought the idea to Marlene Snel and Hailee Wheatley, the shop staff, who were immediately supportive, and the “bouquet a day” program blossomed.
Customers can purchase flowers at the shop for $15 and Wheatley delivers them to a random person in Fort St John.
Wheatley also advertises the giveaway on Facebook and posts pictures of recipients with the bouquets. She grew up volunteering around the city and said handing off free flowers brings rosiness to her day.
“Doing these deliveries is awesome because I’m seeing how I can cheer up someone’s day and (then) them continuing that into the community,” she said.
All three agreed the purpose of the “bouquet a day” was the same as the shop’s previous giveaways, like flowers for frontline workers during the Covid pandemic – they wanted to bring joy and a sense of community to locals.
“I just put (the bouquets) together as something a little bright and cheerful … the brighter they are, the more cheerful they look and hopefully it helps someone get through a hard day,” said Hordy, who has worked as a florist for 30 years.
Snell said small acts of kindness can go far for people and that, “it is a wonderful thing to do, just to give.”
“It just brings a smile to my face because instead of hate, and there’s so much hate in the world, let’s give a little bit of love and help someone out.”
They wanted their giveaway to inspire other people to act positively towards strangers in the community. Whether it’s through the “bouquet a day” program, buying a stranger coffee, or helping someone load their car with groceries, joy spreads like seeds in the spring.
