Lowe's gifts $1 million of flowers to senior moms separated from loved ones during COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way Americans celebrate holidays, and we know that many won’t be able to celebrate Mother’s Day together this year.
In an effort to show appreciation to the moms, grandmothers and motherly figures who can’t be with their families this Mother’s Day, Lowe’s donated $1 million worth of flower baskets from small business growers and nurseries to more than 500 long-term care and senior living facilities nationwide.
Below is a collection of stories that shines a light on some of the facilities Lowe’s was able to gift flowers to this Mother’s Day:
One of Our Own:
One of our Lowe’s associates, affectionately known as “Miss Louise,” has been a greeter at one of our Charlotte stores for nearly four years and is a beloved member of the team and community. Due to COVID-19, associates and customers have not been able to see her warm smile when they walk through the door, as her senior living facility has been on lockdown to protect residents from the outbreak. She now remains isolated in her facility, where she is caring for her grandson.
While we couldn’t bring her loved ones to her, Miss Louise’s local store manager thought surprising her with flowers might brighten her day for Mother’s Day. After the surprise visit and safe drop-off, Miss Louise called her store manager in tears. For her, this gesture was more than a needed connection – it was a sign of hope.
Not only was Lowe’s able to make a special flower basket delivery to Miss Louise, but 300 of her closest friends who also live at her facility!
Hometown Heroes:
As a Charlotte-based company, Lowe’s appreciates the local healthcare workers keeping the Queen City safe during this time. That is why the company has donated more than $10 million in personal protective equipment to hospitals nationwide and contributed $1.5 million to the Foundation for the Carolinas’ COVID-19 Response Fund. To say thank you this Mother’s Day, Lowe’s was able to gift flower baskets to more than 10,000 healthcare workers in the Charlotte metro area.
“As our teammates continue to work around the clock to provide health, hope and healing to our patients, we are simply blown away by the overwhelming support we’ve received from our community partners in appreciation of our caregivers,” said Carol Lovin, executive vice president, chief integration officer & system chief of staff at Atrium Health. “Community donations, like these beautiful hanging flower baskets from Lowe’s, will truly bring a smile to our teammates’ faces, brightening their days during these challenging times. What a wonderful reminder that we’re ALL in this together!”
Guardian Angels:
When Store Manager Chris Reynolds of Belmont, North Carolina told our team that staff members at Holy Angels, a non-profit organization which serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, were forgoing seeing their own family members to care for highly susceptible patients, Lowe’s was honored to send them a small token of appreciation this Mother’s Day.
We were able to provide flower baskets to 130 staff members who have made tremendous sacrifices to care for patients during this time.
“These mothers truly embody personal sacrifice and are unsung heroes in our communities,” said Reynolds.
When It Was Needed Most:
When Lowe’s reached out to senior living facilities in the Seattle metro area, one of the cities hit hardest by the pandemic, we were elated to be able to deliver more than 5,000 flower baskets to mothers in the area. At Alaska Gardens Health and Rehabilitation in Tacoma, Washington, where Lowe’s delivered 140 flower baskets, Katie Parmley told Lowe’s that the surprise phone call couldn’t have come at a better time.
“I had been rattling my brain for the last two weeks trying to figure out how we could make Mother’s Day special for our residents and staff,” said Parmley. “This will be amazing!”
Just In Time:
When Jessica Grant of Aperion Care in Evanston, Illinois received a call from Lowe’s asking if we could deliver flower baskets to her female residents and staff, she was blown away.
“I had just received a call that the flower order I put in for Mother’s Day had been cancelled,” said Grant. “This timing was amazing, and we are so appreciative!”
Lowe’s was able to provide 70 flower baskets to Jessica and her team for Mother’s Day.
Change of Plans:
In Norwalk, Connecticut, Megan Smith of Autumn Healthcare said that all of the plans the facility put together for Mother’s Day had to be cancelled to protect the residents… until Lowe’s called, asking if we could make a delivery of 200 flower baskets.
“We are so grateful that our residents will receive this surprise during a time when they can’t physically be with family members,” said Smith. “This will truly brighten their day!”
Straight from the Source:
For every flower basket that is placed in the hands of a mother, there is a local grower behind it. To support small businesses during COVID-19, Lowe’s sourced every flower basket from our network of small business growers and local nurseries that may have experienced slowed or ceased business operations due to the pandemic.
For North Carolina’s Metrolina Greenhouses, this meant an increase of nearly 25,000 plant orders, solely from Lowe’s.
“We are appreciative to Lowe’s for showing a vested interest in the health of our business and industry,” said Abe VanWingerden, Co-CEO of Metrolina Greenhouses. “This act of kindness will bring a smile to many Moms, especially those working in healthcare, and help sustain our family owned business during an unprecedented time.”
We couldn’t celebrate Mother’s Day in such an impactful way if it weren’t for our partners. Thank you to:
- Uber
- Metrolina Greenhouses
- CK Greenhouses
- Smith Gardens
- Altman Plants
- Costa Farms
- Kalamazoo Garden Solutions
- Seville Farms
- Home Instead
Click through the photo gallery below to see some of the recipients’ photos: