On New Year’s Eve, 2024, Ridgefield resident Cathleen Savery was sitting quietly at home missing her family and close friends when there was a knock at her door. “When I opened the door, there were two SOAR Together volunteers with lovely smiles and hands full of bouquets,” says Savery. “Those beautiful flowers made my day. I felt cherished and noticed – no longer so alone.”
SOAR Together was launched in early 2023 with a mission of helping address epidemic levels of loneliness and social isolation through immersive and unique programming. With research showing both service and social connection lead to improved life outcomes, SOAR (an acronym that stands for Social, Occupational, Artistic, Recreational) began its Flower Power program to provide opportunities for planned and impromptu social connections, with service and gifting opportunities elevating the moods of all who participate.
The concept of gifting donated flowers to those in need of uplift wasn’t a new one for SOAR Together founder Ginger Smith. For many years, Smith’s parents volunteered each Tuesday at Norwalk Hospital, delivering arrangements made from rescued flowers to patients. Their sense of purpose and camaraderie with fellow volunteers was palpable and something Smith never forgot. It surprised few when Smith launched SOAR Together after more than thirty years in social services and led with a flower program. It was mere months after the passing of her stepfather, and the time spent with her mom arranging and delivering the first “You Are Loved” bouquets to Hancock Hall-Filosa in Danbury was cathartic for both women. It was the genesis of a program that touched 300 lives in its first month and now touches 300 on any given day.
Utilizing the proven food rescue model, SOAR trademarked “flower rescue” in 2024. Working in partnership with Big Y Family Markets, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Fresh Market, SOAR’s volunteers help in various capacities throughout the process from rescue to delivery. Rescued flowers are collected with the help of local service organizations such as Lion’s Heart and NCL and subsequently cut and cleaned by teams of SOAR volunteers who share a passion for working with flowers. The Flower Power program not only has the capacity to brighten a day but also change outcomes on a deeper level for both the giver and the receiver.
“Every single person who is part of the Flower Power program, from the floral department employees to the rescuers, bouquet arrangers to recipients, benefits from a mental wellness perspective. Like loneliness, SOAR Together’s impact on our communities is not limited to any demographic,” states Emily Mills, SOAR’s NCL Nutmeg Chapter liaison and longtime Ridgefield resident.
The refreshed flowers are brought to Flower Power programs across Fairfield County, with participants ranging from Boys & Girls Clubs to Homes For The Brave and corporations to assisted living and skilled nursing centers. SOAR’s model of program delivery, “Social Engagement Ecosystem,” is grounded in proven research that centers on a shift in the classic service/recipient paradigm by empowering those who often receive services to lead SOAR’s efforts in sparking positive social engagement within communities.
Those in cancer treatment making arrangements to deliver to those facing housing insecurity? Absolutely. Veterans in shelters creating for Boys & Girls Club members within their community? Absolutely. Middle school students struggling with the throes of social influence crafting flower arrangements for those in memory care? Again, the answer is absolutely.
“SOAR’s Flower Power program has allowed Ridgefield Station residents time to interact with other Ridgefield seniors, create beautiful bouquets of flowers, and find a neighbor who can use flower power in their lives. It is simply beautiful,” says Scott Schulte, EnrichedLIFE Director at Ridgefield Station.
SOAR’s goals for 2025 include increased intergenerational programming, as well as addressing social isolation on a deeper level. While loneliness is a subjective feeling, social isolation is an objective measure of social connection that SOAR is deeply committed to helping address. SOAR is collaborating with social services teams, local nonprofits, and community members through its new Spreading Sunshine program to deliver refreshed bouquets to the doorsteps of those in need of connection and uplift.
SOAR has expanded to now include Young Leaders, who are guided by Smith to help address loneliness and social isolation through school and community-based projects. “Becoming involved in Flower Power has been transformative; connecting with other youth in similar situations to myself has been especially meaningful,” says Sophie Ferrante, one of SOAR’s Young Leaders. “I’ve been both a gifter and a recipient of being “sparked” by Flower Power, and both have been life changing.”
The simple act of giving and receiving rescued flowers has become a powerful symbol of community healing and connection in our community. These flowers, once destined for disposal, are rescued and repurposed to bring joy and comfort to individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and care. “Everyone comes to Flower Power for different reasons and has a unique need for the healing and brightening effects of fresh flowers and a smile,” says Ferrante.
For more information, please visit www.soartogetherct.org. •
