“I wasn’t very skillful at first, but I learned by asking questions and watching the other women. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Before I realized it, I, too, was arranging flowers in baskets and containers that somebody would buy.”
With the recent remodeling of the lobby and main entrance to the hospital, the gift shop, the pharmacy and the coffee station flow together efficiently.
There is still space for floral arrangements in the gift shop, especially small ones that easily fit on patients’ windowsills.
“Buyers will not see the holiday festival of wreaths and centerpieces that in former years took over one end of the lobby, but things change, like life itself, and we must change with it,” Makarius said.
Another volunteer Young Hee Lee of Washington Twp. brings an Oriental style to her floral arrangements. Born in Korea, Lee has been volunteering for four years in the hospital flower shop.
“With the great supply of silk flowers and ribbons and containers that we have to work with, it’s fun to create something lovely and unusual,” Lee said. “Right now we’re designing cornucopias for Thanksgving.”
Seven volunteers schedule their time working in the flower shop on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
To volunteer in the flower shop or anywhere in the hospital, phone (937) 395-8683. Chrissie Richards is the director of volunteers.
Contact this columnist at (937) 433-1552 or adeleauk4737@sbcglobal.net.
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