Carnations for Patients

This week has been very hectic at work. I didn't get lunch on Tuesday but I did come across a great way to spend a 10 min. break.  In a main lobby area they were hosting "make carnations for patients".  I spent my 10 min. sitting with a student and colleague making colorful tissue paper flowers that are put into vases made out of creamer containers turned stained glass by decoupage and tissue paper.

The woman who started the program was there and shared her story with us. She shared that she has been in recovery from leukemia for the past 14 years but when she was diagnosed and had to spend a lot of time in the hospital she realized that when she left that environment she wanted to do something that might be more inspiring for others that have to be there.  They can't have real flowers on the floor due to scents, allergies, and mold issues so she thought "why not tissue paper flowers".  She started making these flowers and bringing them to the hospital. Eventually others heard about the project and wanted to help.  She now collects 2,000 handmade flowers over the course of the year and then in late October she gets together with many volunteers to put the flowers in the decorative containers and deliver them to the floors at the hospital.

This is such a great idea and cause. My goal is to collect tissue paper from the holiday season (you know all of those gift bags you get with tissue paper) and I want to invite friends over on a cold winter evening for hot cocoa and chocolate and make a bunch of flowers to donate. If you are interested in finding out more about this program, giving to the cause or starting your own Carnations for Patients program check out the following site: http://www.carnationsforpatients.com.  Info. is Christine Pettrone/Coordinator and email is: cpettron@rochester.rr.com.

If you have tissue paper you want to send my way for this project send me a comment below and I'll we'll exchange information.

Theres are the ones I made. 4 in 10 minutes!