Smithers-Oasis North America and the Society of American Florists (SAF) joined hands to bring flowers and smiles to the streets of Kent, Ohio. A group of the company’s employees came together to demonstrate a simple act of kindness: giving flowers to passersby on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, USA. Each participant handed out two bouquets to an unsuspecting stranger with the invitation to keep one and share the other. What followed were surprised faces and joy from the whole group.
The reactions weren’t a coincidence. Research shows flowers can significantly reduce anxiety and elevate feelings of happiness. SAF, the Smithers-Oasis North America team, and many other organizations in the U.S. floral industry used this knowledge to create a wave of positivity across communities. Unexpected flowers are always exciting, but the opportunity to pass that feeling onto somebody else is even more rewarding.
While the primary focus of “Petal It Forward” is to promote emotional well-being, the event also shined a light on the beauty and positive effect of the floral industry as a whole. Something as simple as a bouquet of flowers can make a profound impact on individuals and communities alike. Through building connections and spreading kindness, we can make the world a better place, one flower at a time.