In October, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County and Wellington Florist joined dozens of florists across the country for Petal It Forward, a nationwide “random acts of kindness” initiative organized by the Society of American Florists (SAF).
The joyful effort surprised people throughout the county with two free roses—one to keep and one to give away—bringing smiles to thousands in the community.
“Petal It Forward is one of the most heartwarming initiatives we take part in each year,” said JP Varvarigos, owner of Wellington Florist. “It’s incredible to see how a single flower can spark connection, spread kindness, and brighten someone’s day. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity allows us to reach even more people and remind our community that small gestures can make a big difference.”
The Habitat team, joined by community partners and supporters, distributed nearly 5,000 roses generously donated by Wellington Florist at locations including the Riviera Beach VA Hospital, a local fire station, The Lord’s Place, Royal Poinciana Plaza, and all Habitat ReStores.
“This is our second year participating in Petal It Forward, and it’s one of our favorite days of the year,” said Julia Murphy, Chief Advancement Officer at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County. “We’re honored to take part in a national movement that shows how a simple act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. This event also reflects our ongoing partnership with Wellington Florist, our Annual Florals Sponsor, and we’re deeply grateful for their continued generosity and support.”
Launched in 2015 by the Society of American Florists, Petal It Forward is an annual nationwide initiative inspired by research from the University of North Florida (UNF), which shows that living with flowers reduces stress and increases happiness. The program encourages participants to share kindness and connection through flowers.
