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Community Gathered at Historic Bates Ranch House for
6th Annual Flower Empower Luncheon to Benefit
Local
Dream-Granting Program
Annual event
celebrated volunteers who assemble and
deliver more than 150
fresh bouquets each week throughout Santa
Barbara and Ventura Counties
Santa Barbara, Calif. – More than 200 local community
members gathered yesterday, Thursday, May 19 for the 6th
Annual Flower Empower Luncheon at the Historic Bates Ranch
House overlooking Rincon Point. This annual event raises
funds and acknowledges the volunteers, sponsors and growers
who make Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower program possible.
The luncheon, emceed by long-time Dream Foundation
supporter, Ivana Firestone and for the fifth year in a row,
KEYT Channel 3’s Alan Rose, featured an exquisite ocean
view, silent auction, a raffle that included a 7-day Holland
America Line Caribbean cruise, delectable cuisine courtesy
of Rincon Catering, and a fundraising activity that garnered
$15,000 worth of generous donations in only five minutes!
Dream Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Kisa Heyer
honored and awarded the 2016 Flower Empower program
sponsors: Diane & Tim Brown, Lisa & George Hagerman, Nissrin
Mahmoud & Bob Fuladi, and Alison Wrigley Rusack & Geoffrey
Rusack, whose donations will fund the program throughout the
year. Also honored at the event was Yoze Van Wingerden,
Grower of the Year; Jan & Jay Anderson, Volunteers of the
Year; and Delaney Werner, Youth Volunteer of the Year.
“Flower Empower enriches our entire community,” Kisa Heyer
says. “A gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers, artisanal
chocolates, homemade cookies and a thoughtful card can make
an enormous difference to our neighbors in need. This simple
gesture makes an incredible impact not only on those we
serve but also to those who help make this program possible.
There is nothing more amazing than a community coming
together to help one another.”
Special to Dream Foundation’s hometown of Santa Barbara,
Flower Empower is a volunteer-driven program that delivers
hope and compassion—in the form of beautiful bouquets—to
those in need. Several days each week, groups of volunteers
prepare dozens of arrangements using donated flowers and
make deliveries to hospitals, hospices, cancer centers, and
personal residences. In addition to abundant bouquets,
flower recipients enjoy fresh-baked cookies, fine
chocolates, and cards hand made by local school children.
Flower Empower receives no federal or state funding and
relies solely on corporate and individual contributions and
grants.
For volunteer inquiries or to refer a flower recipient,
contact flowerempower@dreamfoundation.org.
About Dream Foundation:
Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting
organization for terminally-ill adults, fulfills final
Dreams that provide inspiration, comfort and closure at the
end of life. With the support of a nationwide network of
volunteers, hospices, health care organizations and
committed donors, Dream Foundation has given life to nearly
25,000 final Dreams over the past two decades and has never
turned down a qualified request.
Dream Foundation does not receive any federal or state
funding and relies solely on individual donations and
corporate partnerships to fund its programs. The Foundation
is proud to maintain Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating (its
highest) for sound fiscal management ensuring its donors and
partners that their investment will be used wisely.
For more information, please visit
www.DreamFoundation.org
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