AVON, CT, Mar. 11, 2021 — A new business made its debut by helping a local non-profit raise over $3,000 to fight hunger and support the needs of its neighbors. Happy Plant Project started its business life by teaming up with Gifts of Love for a Valentine’s Day fundraiser.

Based in Avon, Happy Plant Project delivered dozens of red roses, wrapped bouquets and seasonal flowers, to make Valentine’s Day special for people throughout Greater Hartford. The most surprised recipients were five Gifts of Love clients in Hartford, Avon and Simsbury.  “A donor gave money to the fundraiser to purchase five arrangements for Gifts of Love clients.  We were especially happy to bring that unexpected joy to people who were definitely not anticipating it,” said Jonny Grenier. He was the delivery person and his wife, Allie, was the florist who created the bouquets and arrangements.  The couple are co-owners of Happy Plant Project.

The couple started the business at the beginning of 2021 and one of their first deliveries was to Gifts of Love Volunteer and Outreach Manager Nancy Carlson.  She was so impressed with the arrangement that she asked them to be a part of the Gifts of Love Valentine’s fundraiser. “When Nancy reached out and told us about the organization, we had to say yes,” says Allie. “What drew us to this organization was that we started this business to cultivate more joy in our lives and bring joy to others by making things with our hands.  Gifts of Love embodies that.”

Happy Plant Project started as a way for Jonny and Allie to merge their passion for building and growing with their love of plants and nature.  Together, the co-owners create “handmade items inspired by nature.” Allie specializesin flowers and Jonny contributes his talents as a woodworker, making cutting boards, wine racks, vase holders and wooden décor.

“We are so pleased that Jonny and Allie chose to introduce their creations to the community by partnering with us,” says Ryan Pettengill, Gifts of Love’s Executive Director.  “It was a win-win all around – five of our clients received unexpected Valentine’s Day joy, funds from the promotion will go to help our clients year-round and Greater Hartford was introduced to the creativity of Happy Plant Project.  We wish them many years of bringing smiles to members of our community.”

Gifts of Love’s first-ever Valentine’s Day fundraiser offered donors the ability to give flowers and Valentine’s cards to those they love, with a portion benefiting the non-profit.  It’s all part of Gifts of Love’s ambitious plans to serve more clients, expand their facilities, increase their community outreach and make the organic produce from the Gifts of Love more accessible to the community.

While the Valentine’s Day campaign is over, those wishing to support the work of Gifts of Love, can still help. They can donate funds, food, clothing and household goods at the Gifts of Love Avon office on 34 East Main Street, Avon or on-line at GiftsofLoveCT.org.  And those searching for flowers or custom woodcraft items can connect with Happy Plant Project through their Facebook or Instagram accounts.

About Gifts of Love

Gifts of Love responds to the needs of individuals and their families who have been impacted by financial crises. During COVID-19, the nonprofit continues to accept and provide food, clothing and household goods and self-sufficiency consultation from its offices in Avon and Hartford. Most importantly, Gifts of Love provides a sense of hope to those in search of a better future. For over three decades, the organization has provided short-term programs and education that help working families attain financial independence. The Gifts of Love Farm is a certified-organic educational farm that provides their clients with fresh produce and serves the community with ongoing educational programs, incubator farming and internships programs and organic produce. For more information visit GiftsOfLoveCT.org.

Media Contact

Andrea Obston (aobston@aomc.com)

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