Patients in hospitals in and around the Bay Area in California, like Stanford (Calif.) Medicine, are benefitting from "upcycled" unused flowers thanks to Random Acts of Flowers Silicon Valley.
The organization's volunteers take unused flowers from grocery stores, flower markets and florists, put together bouquets and deliver them to patients.
"We are trying to combat isolation and bring people together physically — not just digitally," Camille Kennedy, Random Acts of Flowers' executive director, told Stanford Medicine. "Our volunteers talk with patients, give a handshake or a hug, and always a smile. That interaction and endorphin boost is really terrific for both the patient and volunteer."