Willows Estate receives special delivery
Friday July 27, 2007 -- Natalie Miller
Willows Estate residents will have something to smile about today.

Each of the Aurora long-term care home’s 88 residents will receive a floral bouquet in a happy-face mug as part of ‘Make Someone Smile Week’ celebrations in Canada, July 22 to 28.

Teleflora Canada, in conjunction with Teleflora florists, annually co-ordinates the nationwide charity event and volunteers create the bouquets. 

Jocelyne Shouldice tells the OMNIway they will deliver to Willow Estate July 27.

The idea behind the week is to bring cheer to “those most in need of a smile — such as hospital patients, nursing home residents and children living in foster-care facilities,” Teleflora says.

Teddy Mazucca, Willows Estate’s life enrichment co-ordinator, was delighted to receive the invitation from Teleflora to participate.

“I think it’s fabulous,” Mazucca says.

“I think our residents are going to be so thrilled. They’re trying to bring cheer and lift the spirits of someone in need.”

Mazucca says volunteers from the florist and staff at Willows Estate will deliver the flowers personally to residents on Friday, providing the seniors with some additional one-to-one time too.

Willows was one of two recipients in the Aurora area chosen to receive the floral arrangements.

Teleflora will donate more than 47,000 ‘Be Happy’ mugs to its member florists, who work with local wholesalers and growers for flower donations.  With these donations, thousands of local Teleflora member florists will create cheerful floral arrangements in the ‘Be Happy’ mugs and deliver them to hospitals, charities and organizations across North America.

Developed by Teleflora in 2000, ‘Make Someone Smile Week’ has grown to become one of the floral industry’s most successful cause-related initiatives in North America, the company says.  Last year’s program spanned 350 cities throughout Canada and the United States and involved 2,500 florists.