Holiday Poinsettia Giveaway to the Elderly

As we were wrapping up the holiday season this year, a group of volunteers including current and former employees disassembled the headquarters lobby tree. It was composed of hundreds of pots of live poinsettia plants stacked to resemble a Christmas tree.

Mary Rose and other volunteers disassemble the poinsettia tree.

View Full-Size Photo

We took the first batch – a few hundred pots – and loaded them on a bus provided by the Riverside Presbyterian House assisted living residence in Jacksonville. The RPS staff on that day was holding a holiday luncheon for the residents, and we were able to give a potted poinsettia to each one as they finished their meal. They loved them! Just this simple gift made them so happy.

Our next stop was at the Cathedral Terrace, a high-rise senior residence in downtown Jacksonville. We distributed the poinsettia plants to the residents and used some to decorate their facility. These are people who do not have a lot of advantages, and it was good to see these flowers brighten their day.

Thanks to all who helped out, including retiree Larry Evans, his wife Judy, and their grandson; Bob Patterson; Judy Curtis; Cliff Redmon and his wife Judy.