Fresh flowers are a natural go-to for big events, whether in celebration or commemoration. However, when the graduation party, wedding reception, or memorial service ends, the question of what to do with all those floral sprays looms in the air. To trash them is sacrilege, but, thanks to Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay and his 2007 idea for a flower repurposing project, Random Acts of Flowers makes good use of beautiful arrangements still in bloom.
“The idea was spurred from his personal experience,” says RAF Executive Director Ally Slavick. “He had a near-death accident and was at UT for weeks. He was blessed by visits and flowers from people but never realized that not everyone was as fortunate. When he was strong enough to leave, he repurposed those arrangements and realized how simple an impact it could have.”
The concept for RAF took shape and the organization filed for a 501c3 in 2008. Momentum was strong and building. Soon, other communities around the country, such as Silicon Valley, Chicago, and Tampa, caught hold of the mission and opened RAF affiliations, with Knoxville serving as the national base. By the latter part of 2020, it was decided that each city should have its own governing board and be its own 501c3 to better serve each individual community.
“The act of how we accomplish our mission is simple: flowers go in, and flowers go out,” says Ally. “Everything we do is only made possible by volunteers. We have two full time employees and one part time, and then we have 200 volunteers. From the vase to the bow, it’s all donated. Mondays and Wednesdays are the prep shifts, and then Tuesdays and Thursdays are arranging and delivery shifts. Seeing it in action is like watching a beautiful play.”
Random Acts of Flowers accepts donated flowers from individuals as well as businesses, such as grocery stores, funeral homes, and other places where fresh-cut flowers are sold or used for a temporary purpose. The prep crew trims then sorts the flowers by color and type, composts the unusable pieces, and leaves behind a well-organized, make-shift flower shop for the next batch of volunteers. After new bouquets and baskets of blooms are crafted, they get delivered to those in need of a pick-me-up.
“We give moments of hope and encouragement through upcycled flowers. It’s special and has an impact, but it’s not open-heart surgery. We don’t take ourselves too seriously but instead bring joy, which can have a tremendous impact,” says Ally. “Everyone is looking for a sign of hope, especially those in difficult healthcare situations. We’re able to be there and let them know the community supports them, that we see them.”
The regular go-to places are hospitals and assisted-living communities where flowers quickly brighten spaces and uplift spirits, but RAF has also partnered with other organizations in town, such as Mobile Meals, Ronald McDonald House, and Breast Connect.
“A philosophy I’ve seen in nonprofits is that we can be in competition with one another over the same buck, or we could work together. I think we can work stronger together than we can apart,” says Ally. “We’ve found our little area in the community to be symbiotic and not be a disrupter. We never want to be a burden to the facility or be in competition with florists.”
Several hundred containers—from coffee mugs and teapots to baskets and traditional vases—are donated each week. Once the flowers are repurposed into their new vessels, the final touch is a delivery card in each arrangement that has the names of the donor, sponsor, or the person who created the bouquet. This seemingly small touch is one more way the recipient knows how many hands were involved in the process.
“Over 16 years, they’ve fine-tuned how this works, and it works because there are so many minds invested in it,” says Ally. “That’s how the mission happens.”
While the primary goal is to uplift the recipients, sometimes there are emotional benefits for the givers, particularly when flowers are donated after a funeral service.
“We’ve had people come to us with cars full of flowers, which is only a reminder of what they’ve lost, so it’s two birds with one stone,” says Ally. “They get something beautiful and fulfilling out of it. When I came on the team, I was so impressed by this, and it’s part of the mission I love.”
Before Ally came on board as the executive director, she was a long-time fan of RAF, following them on social media and watching the good work the organization was doing in the community. Two years ago, when the position came available, she jumped at the chance to join the team.
“I love this work and believe in it. I wouldn’t be here, away from my kids, if I didn’t. It’s so much bigger than a bouquet of flowers. It’s about the positive effects that a gift of joy or a smile can have on a person’s mental health. We want to pour something good into each person,” says Ally. “We’re always looking for new ways to expand the mission, so if there’s a community health organization we’re missing, let us know.”
Since the mission is simple, so is the call to action. RAF always accepts flowers and flower supplies, particularly in the winter months post-holidays. Financial support helps keep the lights on, and nothing is possible without a large network of volunteers.
“We are always looking for more help, even if it’s just calling your local Kroger to see if there’s extra flower supplies,” says Ally. “I wish we could make a coffee table book about our volunteers. It spans healthcare workers who saw us in action and caretakers who want to give back to people who’ve received flowers from us and the creative crowd, like ex-florists or crafty people who just love the work. You’ll see some arrangements that are pieces of art that might cost $100 if you bought the bouquet at a store. It’s been a fun part of the work.”
Learn more at RandomActsofFlowers.org.
RAF Fast Facts
· RAF serves Anderson, Blount, Knox, Roane, Sevier, Loudon, Jefferson, Campbell, and Washington Counties.
· They are partnered with more than 220 healthcare facilities.
· As of mid-December 2024:
o 197,770 deliveries have been made (690,632 nationally)
o 252,998 vases have been recycled (743,636 nationally)
o 105,498 volunteer hours have been logged (302,840 nationally)
“It’s so much bigger than a bouquet of flowers. It’s about the positive effects that a gift of joy or a smile can have on a person’s mental health.”