Petals Please

3 days ago

Welcoming the New Year with a heartfelt act of generosity, flowers from Carly and Max’s wedding celebration at The Ivy at Ellis Preserve were shared with the seniors at St. Martha’s Manor - a beautiful way to ring in the New Year ahead and celebrate new beginnings.

Fabufloras ... See MoreSee Less

Petals Please

4 days ago

Happy New Years from the Volunteers of Petals Please
As we step into a new year, we want to reflect on the hundreds of volunteer hours that we have devoted to creating beautiful floral bouquets and the countless recipients who have received joy from our bouquets.
A simple gesture. A random act of kindness. Together, we can make a difference and have an impact on our community. We vow to continue spreading joy, one petal at a time. Welcome 2026! ... See MoreSee Less

+4

Petals Please

5 days ago

In loving memory of Margaret Sohmer, a donation of flowers facilitated by Alleva Funeral Home were shared with residents at Paramount Senior Living at Lancaster County. Petals Please volunteer, Rhonda with her Mom Joan, who lives at Paramount, shared in the thoughtful gesture of rememberance. ... See MoreSee Less

+1

Petals Please

1 week ago

Joy blooms through the simple gift of flowers - made possible by Beth's vision, and the quiet dedication of the Petals Please volunteers who work behind the scenes to make it possible.💐

"RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS THROUGH FLOWERS BRIGHTENS LIVES" - Pottstown Mercury - 12/24/25

In the last seven years, Beth Adams of Downingtown, Chester County, and her team of dedicated volunteers have brightened the lives of over 200,000 people in our community.

The mission of the organization known as Petals Please continues to touch people in special ways over the holiday season and all year long

After retiring as a hospice worker in 2018, Adams had relationships with funeral directors and senior living facilities that could support a vision she had to bring happiness to older adults in need of being cheered up, whether due to feeling the absence of a loved one, of being lonely, depressed or sick.

Donated fresh flowers from weddings and funerals that would have otherwise been discarded are repurposed by Adams and her team of volunteers to create colorful floral arrangements that are then delivered to their recipients.

“You really have to experience giving an arrangement to someone and seeing their face light up to see the impact this makes on people,” Adams said.

With the help of 130 volunteers, 35 of whom are truly committed to helping to carry out many roles, they now deliver beyond nursing homes to hospices, female victims of domestic violence, food banks, Meals on Wheels, first responders during 9/11 and more.

“We donate to anyone who would be uplifted by receiving flowers,” Adams said. “Statistically over 60% of seniors don’t have visitors and are known as elder orphans. Our goal for elders in the community is to increase socialization and decrease depression.”

VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION
As soon as Adams and her team get word of a donation of flowers coming in, a SignUp Genius is created and shared with volunteers to get everyone in action to fulfill the various roles needed to carry out their mission.

Once the pickup has happened, it usually takes two days for the arrangements to be made and delivered. All are presented in donated or recycled vessels that are nonbreakable, including decorated cans that have been painted.

“The basis of our mission is to recycle and reuse things,” she said. “We just ask people to use their creative spirit when decorating the cans.”

DECORATE TO HELP THE CAUSE
Laura Geiger of Spring City, Chester County, has some cans that she plans to decorate to help the cause. Her children might even pitch in.

“We just picked up some Modge Poge, so we’ll try something with that,” she said. “It’s a creative idea and thoughtful program — how cool to reuse beautiful flowers to bring joy to more people. It keeps the flowers from the trash and brightens someone’s day. I’m excited to be a small part of it by creating vases.”

Petals Please has artists, Girl Scouts, senior groups and even preschool children who help decorate the vessels.

“Preschool children often use their fingerprints,” Adams said.

Sometimes children have helped deliver the flowers to their recipients in a wagon, so the interaction of giving them can serve as an intergenerational experience.

TWO LOCATIONS
Adams first started making the arrangements in her home, but she has expanded to two locations where volunteers assemble to help create them. Adults, children and even senior groups pitch in.

“Our main location we work out of has been the Downingtown United Methodist Church, which has been wonderful,” she said. “We just opened a second location in Phoenixville, and we’re seeking volunteers.”

Adams has received many heart-warming letters from recipients expressing their gratitude.

“They share how much it meant to them,” Adams said. “ it’s very rewarding.”

More information:
About Petals Please: Petals Please is a nonprofit with a mission to bring joy to individuals through repurposing flowers. For more information, visit petalsplease.org or call 484-374-2880.

Research backs up the psychological impact of flowers

A study published in the Journal of Evolutionary Psychology shows that flowers have strong positive effects on our emotional well being.

A team of researchers explored the link between flowers and life satisfaction in a 10-month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers. The results show that flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods.

• Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.

• Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.

• Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.
Source: Society of American Florists ... See MoreSee Less

+1