Trojan Florist to Distribute More Than 200 Bouquets in Troy as Part of Petal It Forward

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TROY - What happens when you put 200-plus bouquets of flowers into the hands of unsuspecting people on the streets of Troy?

   Hopefully, a whole lot of smiling!

   On Oct. 14, Trojan Florist and Gifts will be hitting the streets of Troy with more than 200 bouquets as part of Petal It Forward, a national random-acts-of-kindness initiative created by the Society of American Florists (SAF). Trojan Florist, an SAF member, is joining florists across the country in spreading a little happiness — one flower at a time.
 

   And there’s a catch: You don't get to keep both bouquets.

   When someone receives flowers from the Trojan Florist team, they'll be given two bouquets. They get to keep one and are encouraged to give the other to someone else — a friend, coworker, neighbor, family member, or maybe even a complete stranger who just looks like they could use a flower and a smile.
 

   “We spend our days delivering flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, sympathy, celebrations and all those important moments,” said Jules Harris, owner of Trojan Florist and Gifts. “But sometimes you don't need a reason to give someone flowers. Sometimes you just need to look at someone and think, ‘You look like you need a flower!’”
 

   Harris said the idea behind Petal It Forward fits perfectly with what she loves most about being a florist.
 

   “Flowers have this funny little way of making people stop and smile,” Harris said. “You can hand someone a bouquet and watch their entire face change. And then we get to send them off with another bouquet and basically say, ‘OK, now it's YOUR turn to make somebody smile!’”
 

Flowers Really Can Make You Feel Better

   There’s more behind the flower-filled fun than just a pretty bouquet.

   Research has shown that flowers can have an immediate impact on happiness and a positive effect on mood. A Society of American Florists survey found that giving flowers can be just as rewarding as receiving them.
 

According to the survey:

• 88% of Americans say giving flowers makes them feel happy, while 80% say receiving flowers makes them feel happy.

• 76% agree that having flowers in their home or office improves their mood.

• “Just because” is one of the most popular reasons people want to receive flowers — with 92% of women agreeing and approximately three out of four men agreeing as well.

• Nearly four in 10 Americans say a florist has helped them with a relationship, most often by helping them say “I love you” or arranging a surprise delivery.

   “So basically, science is telling us what florists have known forever,” Harris joked. “Flowers make people happy. And honestly, we're perfectly happy to participate in that research!”

One Bouquet for You. One Bouquet for Someone Else.

   Jules and the Trojan Florist Petal It Forward team will distribute more than 200 bouquets throughout Troy on Oct. 14.
 

   Recipients will be encouraged to keep one bouquet and Petal It Forward by giving the second bouquet to someone else.
 

   “We're hoping these flowers don't just make 200 people happy,” said Harris. “We're hoping those 200 people turn around and make another 200 people happy. And then those people make someone else happy. Before you know it, Troy could be covered in flowers and smiles — and I am completely OK with that!”
 

   Trojan Florist is also encouraging participants to share their Petal It Forward moments on social media using #PetalItForward.
 

About Trojan Florist and Gifts

   Trojan Florist and Gifts has been part of the Troy community since the 1960s and continues the legacy of providing high-quality flowers in professional designs from its current location at 121 S. Market St. in downtown Troy.
 

   Beyond flowers, Trojan Florist and Gifts is proud to support the Troy community by giving back to local nonprofits, schools, businesses and community organizations through donations, partnerships and regular floral contributions.
 

   “We're incredibly lucky to be part of this community,” Harris said. “We get to be there for people during their happiest moments, their hardest moments and everything in between. If we can take a random Wednesday and make someone's day a little brighter with a flower, well, that's a pretty great job.”
 

   For more information about the benefits of flowers, visit the Society of American Florists at AboutFlowers.com.