A small town flower shop in Iowa is making sure no senior feels forgotten this Valentine’s Day by continuing a heartwarming tradition that has now reached its fifth year and touched hundreds of hearts. Lee County Floral owner Victoria Matlock and her team delivered carnations to six assisted living facilities across Lee County in Montrose, with staff distributing the blooms to 350 residents during their Valentine’s Day celebrations. Matlock explained that her goal is simple but powerful, wanting to make sure every resident feels remembered and knows they are loved, especially since some residents get lots of visitors and gifts while others do not see any at all during the holiday.
The tradition addresses a deeper need as people at this stage of life are often feeling the loss of love with many loved ones gone, according to Laura Zechin, the Montrose Health Center Activity Director who said the gesture brings some of the joy of knowing that people still love them and reminds them of who is left and that people still care. This year’s milestone of reaching more than 350 seniors was made possible through community support that helped fund the Valentine’s Day Act of Kindness, allowing Matlock to expand her reach to multiple facilities across the entire county. Matlock’s dedication to ensuring that every single person in the assisted living facilities receives a flower demonstrates how a simple gesture can make an enormous difference in someone’s day, especially for those who might otherwise spend the holiday alone. The annual tradition that began five years ago has become a bright spot during a season that can be especially difficult for those who have lost spouses and family members, proving that small acts of kindness delivered with genuine care and compassion can have the biggest impact on those who need it most.
Source: https://people.com/flower-shop-surprises-350-seniors-with-valentine-s-day-carnations-11906399
