Sheryl Proctor-Bloom started volunteering in September of 2017, not too long after she retired. She had seen a newspaper article about the branch’s launch and know “this was the spot for me!”

Sheryl calls RAF’s mission a “360 degree concept of gratitude. Not only are we brightening the lives of those in hospitals and nursing homes, we are also providing an opportunity for florists/vendors to salvage and re-purpose flowers. We’re giving SO many volunteers opportunities to give back and also providing donors with a worthwhile outlet for giving. It’s a win-win for everyone We all benefit from giving!” And, she has seen the RAF mission from every angle – start with floral prep before adding pick up from some of our floral partners and then moving on to arranging a little later on.

She does say, however, that her favorite volunteer activity is deliveries, and she has “specifically chosen to sign up for our local Eskanazi hospital that serves the poor and uninsured. It’s the highlight of my month!”

Sheryl particularly likes that RAF’s mission “helps others by brightening their life journey.” She credits her aunt and godmother, Carmen (who passed away four years ago), as the inspiration for her wanting to give back. Carmen was a schoolteacher who had a sign in her classroom that said “We’re all just walking each other home.” 

JOIN KENDRA SCOTT JEWELRY
FOR A HOLIDAY FUNDRAISERSAVE THE DATE!
Kendra Gives Back Party
Monday, November 26th
5:00-8:00pmEnjoy wine, light appetizers, and jewels at Kendra Scott’s Indianapolis Showroom!
8701 KEYSTONE CROSSING BLVD #27b20% of all sales will benefit Random Acts of Flowers Indianapolis.

CELEBRATING TWO YEARS OF DELIVERING HOPE

SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, October 12th
2:00-5:00pm

Drop in and join us for treats and thanks
as we celebrate our second birthday
and the supporters, donors,
and volunteers who make it all possible!

RAF Indianapolis Workshop
1057 East 54th St. Suite F
Indianapolis, IN 46220

SUMMERTIME AND THE GIVING IS EASY

We have enjoyed a full and busy summer here at RAF Indianapolis!
On top of fulfilling our regular mission of delivering hope, we –

• were part of the Indianapolis Garden Club‘s annual Garden Walk, featuring 5 fantastic gardens paired with 5 local Plein Air artists. Proceeds benefit several local community projects, including RAF Indianapolis.
• included in YELP Indy‘s Broad Ripple Block Party, featuring the best and brightest of our neighboring businesses. At the RAF stop, participants made bouquets for delivery and learned more about our mission.
• honored THE BRIGHTEST WEEK on June 17-23, delivering nearly 1,000 bouquets to recipients affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. These special deliveries were supported by funding from Eli Lilly and Company.
• hosted days-of-service for several local companies and organizations, including Ashfield Meetings and Events, Cathedral High School’s Service Camp, Crowe Consulting, and Salesforce.
• traveled to RAF’s National HQ in Knoxville, TN, at the end of July for a few days of leadership training and a celebration honoring the organization’s 10th birthday!
• hosted another SOLD OUT Flowers After Hours event on August 22nd. Participants created one arrangement to keep and one for delivery. Stay tuned on Facebook for information on our next one!

No one could accuse Pamela Leap of having too much time on her hands! She’s a Master Gardener, and her half-acre yard is filled with various gardens which keep her busy, especially during the warmer months. She volunteers for a hunger relief kitchen once a week and also at the Madeline Elder Greenhouse at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She travels, has lively gatherings gal pals, loves to read, and has recently taken up sewing again.

And, she is one of the dedicated volunteers right here at RAF Indianapolis. She got involved shortly after our branch opened its doors. After hearing about the mission from a Horticultural Society colleague (oh yeah, she’s involved there, too!), she was “so excited about it that I called to sign up the next week.”

Her excitement stemmed not only from her love of flowers and gardening, but also because she is “a believer in random acts of kindness and paying it forward. Flowers always bring me joy, so I wanted to do my part to make that happen for others. I can’t heal them, but I can help them smile, make their day brighter.”

And, as an RAF volunteer, she knows that the everyone on the team puts their “efforts into that one thing – to make someone smile. If that someone is feeling alone or left out, we let them know they are remembered. If they feel overwhelmed by their particular challenge, we let them know that there are others who wish them well. It helps to be reminded that when we struggle, there are those who want to help. Most of the volunteers at RAF don’t get to meet the folks who receive our lovely bouquets, but I am fortunate to be part of the group who deliver flowers to Riley Hospital for Children and it is so special! The kids are surprised to be given such a grown-up gift, and the parents are always touched and appreciate the gesture.” That extra-special connection with recipients is only one of the things that motivates Pamela to keep coming back to volunteer week after week.

She knows “You can’t leave RAF after refreshing the flowers or making the arrangements in a bad mood – no way! Surrounded by such beauty, the riot of colors, the lively chatter of my fellow volunteers as we work our magic, I always look forward to my time in the workshop.” And, all of us look forward to seeing her, too!

A postscript from Pamela –

RAF INDIANAPOLIS IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Will Power may have won the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 102nd running of the Indy 500 this year, but we feel like we’re the real champions! After our flower rescue missions at the greatest spectacle of racing and Victory Banquet, we cruised away with enough flowers to make and deliver 200 arrangements!