promoting health &wellness · promoting health &wellness random acts of flowers improves...
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Promoting Health &Wellness
Random Acts of Flowers improves the emotional health and wellbeing of individuals in healthcare facilities by delivering recycled flowers,
encouragement and personal moments of kindness.
Using flowers as the vessel, our vision is to inspire and nurture a culture of care and compassion.
While Random Acts of Flowers directly serves people struggling with illness, injury or the aging process, our reach goes well beyond the
recipients to impact their families, caregivers, healthcare administrators, our devoted volunteers and committed donors.
Yes, Flowers Do Heal! Multiple studies indicate that the mere presence of flowers in a patient’s hospital room can, in the words of a team of researchers from Rutgers University, become “a powerful positive emotion inducer” that improves mood as well as long-term episodic memory in elderly patients.
A 2009 study by researchers from Kansas State University found that “patients in rooms with plants and flowers had significantly shorter hospitalizations, lower ratings of pain, anxiety and fatigue, and more positive feelings” when compared to patients in a control group.
An empirical study conducted in early 2016 by the UT College of Medicine specifically confirms the positive impact deliveries from Random Acts of Flowers have on the emotional wellness of medical patients.
- Almost 95% of respondents self-reported that the unexpected delivery of flowers from Random Acts of Flowers improved their overall emotional wellness, with 73.5% reporting “extreme improvement.”
- The study also reaffirmed that RAF is serving patients who typically are not getting this emotional lift, with 81.1% of respondents reporting they had not received other gifts of flowers outside of the Random Acts of Flowers’ delivery, and for 11.3% of the sample the RAF volunteers were the only visitors they had during their hospital stay.
How it Works
Donated product is sourced from community floral partners.
(wholesalers, retail florists, weddings, special events, grocery stores, funeral homes)
The flowers are recycled and repurposed into new, beautiful arrangements by volunteer teams.
RAF volunteers deliver bouquets and moments of kindness to people in local healthcare facilities.
(hospitals, assisted living, nursing homes, hospice)
The mission is typically fulfilled in 24 – 48 hours, reinforcing the immediacy and positive impact
on the community.
Our Journey 2
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Larsen Jay has a near-fatal accident on July 29th. During his extended hospital stay
he delivers his flowers to fellow patients and sees the impact his “random act of
kindness” has on others. This is the inspiration for Random Acts of Flowers.
One year to the month of the accident, Adrian and Larsen Jay incorporate Random Acts of Flowers with a mission of improving emotional health of community members in area healthcare facilities. RAF opens a small
facility with 1 employee and 4 volunteers with the backing of 199 supporters.
After six months of preparation and development, RAF launches on March 3rd at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The first floral delivery is made to a patient
in Larsen’s former hospital room. Floral donors, community supporters and
volunteers begin flocking to the program.
RAF continues to grow, adding volunteers and floral partners while moving into a larger facility and celebrating mission fulfillment milestones including the
10,000th delivery in January. Operational efficiencies are learned and the
sustainable program takes shape.
Due to the RAF success and increased demand, the Board of Directors votes to expand the program to new cities. RAF
Tampa Bay, FL is chosen as the first branch and opens that November. Just a month
later, RAF opens another branch in Greeneville, TN.
Progress and learning endures as the National Headquarters Team is formed
and branches in Chicago, IL and Silicon Valley launch, CA while Greeneville, TN closes due to small market size. In late 2015, RAF celebrates
its 100,000th floral delivery and launches a strategic plan for expansion nationwide.
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RAF branches eclipse significant delivery milestones while the national team continues improvements on mission
fulfillment, operations and sustainability initiatives. The newest location in Indianapolis, IN is announced as
discussions begin on future opportunities.
Mission Fulfillment
FLORAL DELIVERIES
LOCAL IMPACT
173,296 VASES RECYCLED
(thru 08/16/16)
4,659
Avg. Deliveries Per Month
173,296
Total Vases Recycled Nationwide
148,324
Total People Served Nationwide
NATIONWIDE
NATIONWIDE ( Closed 2015 ) ( Est. 7/2008 ) ( Est. 10/2013 ) ( Est. 1/2015 ) ( Est. 4/2015 )
Total
Volunteer Heart The success of the Random Acts of Flowers’ mission is driven by our dedicated volunteer workforce.
“I enjoy being surrounded by beautiful flowers and people who share a common interest and goal. I feel great after a volunteer shift knowing that my small amount of time has helped another
person. I have personally seen that light in people’s eyes when I make a floral delivery.”
- Cathy Palivos, RAF Chicago Volunteer
2,002 Registered RAF
Volunteers
72,068 Volunteer Hours Donated To Date
2,386 Average # of Hours Served per Month
Fun, Easy & Creative Minimal Training
Flexible Commitment Friendly Environment
Immediate Community Impact Variety of Tasks for All Skillsets Multi-Generational Experience
Individual, Group & Corporate Opportunities
Did You Know?
99% of RAF Volunteers Would Recommend Working with Us to Others
93% of Volunteers Saw Working with RAF as
an Opportunity to Make a Difference
99% of RAF Volunteers Understand How Their Volunteer Work Impacts the Mission
Serving the Healthcare Community Random Acts of Flowers successfully works with national healthcare partners to deliver moments of positive emotional health. In addition to the major medical partners listed below, RAF works with over 300 healthcare facilities including
assisted living, nursing home, rehabilitation, hospice and community health organizations.
“The residents at our facility are honestly so thankful and touched by your wonderful donation of flowers. Many haven't
received a gift in years and most don't have regular visitors. The pure joy on the resident’s face isn't seen too often. Try as we do,
any contact from someone other than staff is truly a joyous occasion. From the bottom of my heart, I want to really thank
every volunteer at your organization for providing such an impactful event in our resident's lives.”
– Melinda B. Glen Oaks Nursing & Rehab / Northbrook, IL
“I wanted to report that the Random Acts of Flowers delivery created quite a buzz here at PAC last week! The residents were so touched and surprised by the deliveries. I will never forget
some of the big smiles the residents had when they received their surprise flower delivery. How special! I was also very impressed by the level of professionalism, the beautiful flower bouquets, and the wonderful volunteers from Random Acts of Flowers.
Thank you so much!” – Deeann A.
Palo Alto Commons / Palo Alto, CA
The Floral Industry Partner Random Acts of Flowers is a strong partner with the floral industry.
Since its founding, RAF has worked closely with floral professionals to utilize waste in a productive and meaningful way.
Keys to our successful floral relationships:
RAF isn’t competing for a florist’s customer base. People served by the charity are often those who wouldn’t normally receive flowers, are forgotten about,
haven’t had a visitor or are without a support network.
“For years I would walk out of an event with a heavy heart knowing that thousands of dollars of flowers would be tossed in the garbage. Now that RAF is here we smile as we leave knowing that all of our hard work of beautiful fresh
flowers will continue to brighten and bless someone else’s day.” – Lisa Foster / Owner, Lisa Foster Floral Design in Knoxville, TN
RAF is only using what’s already sold/unsalable in the floral marketplace. Our organization focuses on gathering used, donated flowers
destined for the garbage to “upcycle” them for another purpose.
“We have a cart full of flowers every day we throw away to the compost. It's better to get smiles of the patients instead of throwing them out. I love to see a picture of someone's face when they get flowers from Random Acts of Flowers!”
- Steve Wilkie / Costco Floral Coordinator in Atherton, CA
RAF celebrates flowers and florists as an important part of our society. With each delivery, Random Acts of Flowers validates the importance of giving flowers and how their healing property can purposefully impact people.
RAF never substitutes for a floral professional. Recipients of our floral deliveries are determined by the healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses & caregivers). Random Acts of Flowers never responds to individual requests in lieu of working with a local florist.
"Random Acts of Flowers is a true asset in the market, actually making it easier for me to sell flowers. People like knowing that once the flowers have been used for their original purpose, there's another very meaningful use for them."
-Danny Jones / Owner, Bloomers Flowers & Gifts in Knoxville, TN
RAF is a key referral source for florists. Random Acts of Flowers is happy to refer and promote partner florists to our donors, supporters and volunteers.
“Random Acts of Flowers provides a tangible benefit to our business, reducing the green waste and disposal expense from our memorial flowers. But more importantly, I just love the mission and the impact the organization has on our community.”
- Keenan Knopke / Owner, Curlew Hills Memory Gardens in Palm Harbor, FL
The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) officially endorses Random Acts of Flowers and recognizes its effective re-use of floral products for use in charitable social effectiveness. AIFD is the floral industry’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest standard of professional floral design.
Random Acts of Flowers is endorsed by and a proud member of the Society of American Florists (SAF), a national trade association that represents all segments of the U.S. floral industry. The 15,000 members are the industry’s top retailers, growers, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers, suppliers, educators, students and allied organizations. SAF is the face and voice of a strong, unified floral industry.
Operational Structure
Service Markets & Potential Growth
Existing RAF branches. RAF Indianapolis launches October 2016. All other branch locations under consideration.
501(c)(3) NonProfit Corporation Headquartered in Knoxville, TN
Every branch is supported by the national headquarters team
responsible for:
Technology Human Resources
Operational Support Compliance / Risk Management
Financial / Accounting Strategy
Marketing / PR Training & Education
RAF Branch Locations (major elements)
2,500 – 3,500 sq.ft. Facility 2 – 3 Full Time Employees 1 – 2 Delivery Vans 100 – 600 Volunteers
A Partnership with Random Acts of Flowers Brings Multiple Benefits
Alignment of core values based on integrity and
commitment to excellence.
Keen focus on its mission, keeping organizational overhead low to
channel financial resources toward floral deliveries to bring
encouragement to those in need.
A large and highly engaged volunteer base across multiple
demographics.
Strong affinity with millennials and other environmentally
conscious consumers.
Social responsibility association with a neutral, non-controversial
organization.
Alliance with a unique and inspiring brand.
Partnership Opportunities Become a partner with Random Acts of Flowers and position your brand with an
organization that has a national vision while having a local impact.
Random Acts of Flowers is 100% privately supported and receives no public funding. Our charitable mission is propelled solely through direct donations, grants and corporate sponsorships. At RAF, we believe dynamic partnerships are critical to a sustainable model that’s mutually beneficial for all involved. Our partners are committed to developing and supporting this socially responsible initiative that directly impacts people in your community in a positive way. Your business can connect with RAF in many ways. Whether it’s holding a vase drive, sponsoring an event or initiative, underwriting various programs or bringing your organization or corporate group on a team-building day, Random Acts of Flowers will work to find a partnership that helps align your corporate values with our charitable mission. TEAM BUILDING / GROUP VOLUNTEERING DAY OF SERVICE
Engage your group in a unique, turnkey team-building experience that has a lasting impact on the community.
Participate in a day where your team members will inspire kindness, happiness and healing through an RAF Day of Service. You might start by holding a vase drive—set a goal or simply gather as many as possible! Then, upon arrival at your local branch, team members will go to work recycling and processing the vases, preparing flowers for repurposing and creating beautiful floral arrangements. For a full-day experience, RAF will arrange for your group to deliver bouquets to those struggling with injury, illness or the aging process, enabling them to see the immediate impact of their Day of Service together. % OF SALES EVENTS
Involve your audience and the community by hosting a “percent-of-sales” event benefitting Random Acts of Flowers. This is an excellent way to demonstrate your business’ social morality as well as an important opportunity to introduce RAF to new patrons. RAF will work with your marketing team to create cross-promotional elements to generate sales, including targeting RAF volunteers, to further build on your support of RAF’s mission. VASE DRIVES
Random Acts of Flowers repurposes vases, reducing the impact on our landfills, by actively soliciting vase donations to support our mission. Holding a group or corporate vase drive is an excellent way to encourage group, employee and customer participation in a charitable endeavor. Challenge your teams by setting a goal and/or asking them to drop $1 in each vase, then match the total with a tax-deductible donation.
Partnership Opportunities OPERATIONAL UNDERWRITING
Each RAF branch operates on an efficient budget with expenses that may be offset by support from the community. You can help by contributing funds or in-kind services for fuel and maintenance for our delivery van, printing and postage, IT equipment and support, and workspace supplies such as shelving, tables, stools, and sheers. As an organization built on recycling floral materials, we compost all of our green waste and are in need of compost and waste management support as well.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Random Acts of Flowers hosts two major fundraising events every year (Garden Party, GROW). We also conduct regular Flowers After Hours workshops. Put your brand in front of our loyal supporters and an audience that’s passionate about improving individual health and wellness, loves flowers and gardening and aspires to a high quality of life. Inquire about the various sponsorship levels with related sponsor benefits that are available for each. Our events are ideal for networking, client entertainment and employee engagement.
Partnership Opportunities DELIVERY SPONSORSHIPS
One of the easiest ways to support RAF is to directly sponsor our deliveries of recycled flowers, encouragement and personal moments of kindness. Become a monthly sponsor, sponsor deliveries to a particular facility or sponsor one of our special deliveries over the holidays, for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Veteran’s Day and other major days of recognition. As a delivery sponsor your brand will be featured on all message cards included in every delivery of flowers.
The back of the card contains three main areas: - Top Section: Promotes a corporate partner that helps
financially support the program. - Middle Section: * The volunteer who created the
bouquet signs their name, offering a personal community connection to the recipient.
- Lower Section: * Acknowledges where the flowers have
been donated from to make the bouquet. We want the recipient to know that someone in their community has donated the flowers and expressed an interest in helping them have a better day.
RAF Logo
Mission Statement
Branch-Specific Contact & Website Information
(w/charitable org info on bottom)
* Both lower areas are personally hand-written by volunteers. This representation of the delivery
card back is for illustrative purposes only.
Vicki S.
The Heart Gala
Contact
MISSION: Random Acts of Flowers (RAF) improves the emotional health and wellbeing of individuals in healthcare
facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement and personal moments of kindness. LOCATIONS: National Headquarters RAF Chicago RAF Indianapolis
3500 Workman Rd. – #101A 2000 Greenleaf St. – Suite 5 1057 E. 54th St. – Suite F Knoxville, TN 37921 Evanston, IL 60202 Indianapolis, IN 46220 (865) 248-3045 (847) 430-4751 (317) 282-0144
RAF Knoxville RAF Silicon Valley RAF Tampa Bay 3500 Workman Rd. – #101B 3501 Edison Way 564 Frederica Ln. – Suite A Knoxville, TN 37921 Menlo Park, CA 94025 Dunedin, FL 34698 (865) 633-9082 (650) 852-1450 (717) 754-7974
ONLINE: Website: www.RAFKnoxville.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RAFKnoxville Twitter: www.twitter.com/rndmactsofflwrs
DESIGNATION: Random Acts of Flowers is a federally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (ID# 26-3006360).
The Random Acts of Flowers name and its logo are trademarked / copy written properties of RAF, registered in the United States, Canada, Australia and the European Union. RAF also holds charitable licenses in all US states as required including the ability to partake in Commercial Co-Ventures (CCV).
Jen Sheehan Executive Director
RAF Knoxville
(865) 633-9082 o (865) 621-2368 c
RAF Knoxville Board of Directors Cecil Scarbrough, Chair
Eric Anderson, Treasurer Connie Wallace, Secretary
Lindsay Bennett Tom Catani
Michelle “Chelly” Clayton Angie Crabtree Melissa Everett Chad Harrison
Jacqueline Holdbrooks Cara Knapp
Michael L. Levesque Amy Morton Janice Pollock
Rose Perkinson Dr. Stephanie Smith
Terry Turner
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more
helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”
- Luther Burbank / Pioneering American Botanist