The first Good Neighbor Day for Prescott Valley Florist was in September of 1998.
It was a new concept to us, but other florists across the United States had been promoting the event for quite a few years. The idea was to give a dozen roses or other flowers to everyone that came in the store that day, but there was a catch! They could keep 1 for themselves but they had to give the other 11 away to other people they came in contact with that day. What a great way to promote good neighborliness in a community! We thought the concept would go over well in our community as well!
The first year we gave away 2000 roses by 9:30am. There were over 65 people standing at the door when we opened at 7am. The response was great! We had volunteers come in and clean the flowers as well help us hand them out.
In 1999, we handed out 4000 roses. We could tell this event was quickly going to get larger than we could support on our own.
So, in 2000 we opened the event up to sponsorship from businesses as well as individuals in the local area. We were able to hand out over 7000 roses that year. Each year has increased in the numbers little by little., still growing strong!
Last year, was almost 11,000 roses by 11am, still supported by other local Good Neighbors in the area!
Here we are in 2009, our 11th year celebrating Good Neighbor Day!
Reaching out to others in our community, the school bus driver, the store clerk, the bank teller, the school teacher, the employee, the residence at a local care facility, your neighbor down the street all being touched by the caring thoughtfulness of giving a flower. Who knows what a difference you can make in someone’s day!
Join us for Good Neighbor Day 2009 on Wednesday, September 16th from 7am 'till we run out. Be a Good Neighbor Day Sponsor as well, and help us to reach more of our neighbors! For more information call Kim Jensen at Prescott Valley Florist at 772-9640.