Free Flowers for Portland Residents on October 16.
Miley Cyrus may sing about buying herself flowers, but residents of Portland can receive them for free on Wednesday, October 16. This giveaway is part of the annual Petal It Forward event, organized by Mayesh, a national flower wholesaler. The Portland branch, in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest Florist Association and numerous other florists, will donate thousands of flower bouquets to the community. Each participant will receive two bouquets: one to keep and one to give to a stranger. This is a great opportunity for those who believe someone in their life “deserves their flowers.”
Mayesh has been a fixture at the Portland Flower Market on Swan Island for over a decade, offering a wide variety of fresh-cut flowers. Additionally, the Portland Flower Market will distribute fresh bouquets to those who want to brighten their homes and share joy with others. Roxie Amoroso, an organizer of the Petal It Forward event, mentions that volunteers will also be present at several locations, including the South Waterfront, Powell’s City of Books, Grant High School, Beverly Cleary Elementary School, the Adidas headquarters, and Portland International Airport.
“Giving anything to strangers is not an easy task, even flowers,” Amoroso said in an email to WW.
A recent survey from the Society of American Florists (SAF) supports earlier findings from a 2005 Rutgers University study conducted by Dr. Jeannette Haviland-Jones, highlighting the emotional wellness benefits of flowers. While many people appreciate flowers at home and work, the survey reveals that only four out of ten Americans use florists for their floral needs. This suggests that individuals might be obtaining their flowers from other sources, but it underscores the positive mental and emotional effects that flowers can provide for both givers and recipients.
“It’s delightful to see someone unexpectedly receive flowers; their eyes light up,” said Amy Gebhardt, Mayesh’s Portland general manager, in a press release. “People love to get flowers ‘just because,’ so we aim to create random smiles and give everyone a chance to do the same for someone else.”
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