LYCOMING COUNTY, Pennsylvania — A bouquet of flowers with a card that reads “You are loved” sits on a bench outside The Petal Purcell flower shop in Old Lycoming Township. The bouquet was created for the florist’s “Stem Support” project.
“I think everyone needs a pick-me-up this time of year, but you never know who everyone is. Everyone loves flowers and everyone loves receiving flowers. We all do. We’ve given to men, women, everyone, even children. Everyone loves flowers and it’s just a little thoughtfulness,” said Heidi Lane, owner of Petal Purcell.
Shop owner Heidi Lane hopes the Support a Stem project will help bring the community together.
“I’m using my business as a platform to do that. I started by asking people to give $2 towards a $15 bouquet, and for every $15 bouquet I collect, I give one to a stranger out of kindness, because you never really know who needs it,” Lane said.
Every bouquet comes with a floral arrangement and a card with a quote or saying, and Lane wanted to run the project in May as that is Mental Health Awareness month.
“Over 125-130 people have supported STEM. People have been amazing, even if they can’t donate money they still tell us what they want us to write on a card. It’s been really fun too. There are so many ways you can contribute to something like this,” Lane said.
Lane shared what Mental Health Awareness Month means to her: “I’ve struggled so just showing people that they’re understood means a lot to me. It’s the sillyest things that can save a life sometimes and the person doesn’t even know it.”
Lane plans to hand out flowers to strangers on Friday.
