Floriology September 2014

One Old Country Road Suite 500 Carle Place, NY 11514

BLOOMNET IN THE COMMUNITY

by Brenda Simmons

NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER

Making the Commitment

In 2011, Maris Angolia, president of Karin’s Florist in Vien- na, Va., made a pledge to increase her community involve- ment by starting a program called Karin’s Gives Back. Each month, a new charity is chosen for Karin’s to sponsor. Three years and more than 30 charities later, Maris has succeeded. “It was hard to choose just one charity because there are so many great ones in our area,” she says. “So we thought, ‘Let’s offer several fundraising opportunities!’ In July and August, we helped Operation Finally Home. Ten percent of the sale of the Sunshine Home feature arrangement will help build mortgage- free homes for returning soldiers and widows of the fallen.” Maris says that the business started by her father and grandfather in 1956 has always been involved in the com-

munity, but wanted to offer more. “We received so many applications, it was hard to choose. We have an advisory board made up of community members—it is one of the best things we have ever done. The board is made up of five to seven people ranging from event planners to accountants that serve two-year terms. In addition to other functions, the mem- bers are the ones who review the charities’ applications and select which ones we will support. The Karin’s Gives Back program considers local organizations or those with a local chapter.” In addition to Operation Finally Home, some of the charities sponsored include the Let’s Give Back foundation and Friends of the Fairfax Animal Shelter. “What makes the fundraisers so successful is that the charities are really involved in choosing the design and naming it. The fundraisers that have amazing results are the ones that are really invested and promote it to their own passionate benefactors,” continues Maris. When asked what exciting fundraisers are coming up in 2015, Maris smiles and says, “Next June, The World Police and Fire Games! Twelve thousand athletes and 30,000 fans will be in and around our community. We can’t wait to be involved!”

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