The Thank You Flower Project

Things you learn from Google Analytics:

1. Around 10% percent of the people reading this blog stumbled in via search engines while hunting down terms like:

Liberace rings
It’s cookie monster time y’all!
tyra banks monster hog caller
barnuckly egg cartons
discos in Saudi Arabia
wet and messy easter dress photos
what to do about flies in your pig pen
And my all time favorite and unusually popular search term:  tamburin welches 

…seriously guys, wtf are welches?

2. Most of the other 90% of you first stumbled into this blog on account of a various referrals to this single post. Apparently, y’all love some coffee filter flowers.

That initial post in question was a DIY. So you can imagine how flattering it is to receive an occasional inquiry from someone wondering if they are for sale. Guess not everyone has the time to make them, or, just wants a finished template to look at before they try it on their own. Either way, I take it as an enormous compliment and feel very rude as I type to reply to them “No, they are not for sale.” 

Until now….

Blah blah blah…where is this going?

I have spent the last few days thinking about what to post this week. Recent events in the news make it awkward to banter about my usual activities. Art is a healing process to be sure, but somehow I feel awkward posting Lola’s annual Leprechaun hat when so many others are struggling to survive the storm of chaos and tragedy.

Like a lot of people, I’m wondering what I can do to help and the answer is always the same: Send money.

So I sent money. It wasn’t much, but it was something. Right? Every little bit helps. Right?

I bet a lot of you sent money too.

And I bet a lot of you have been meaning to do it, but just haven’t gotten around to it yet, but you will, you promise.

Man, I’ve been there before. I’m the last person to preach about procrastinating.

So with that in mind, I’m joining the herd of small businesses and community fundraisers looking to provide an incentive to make a contribution toward helping the disaster relief. Hey, I figure if the kids down the street can organize a car wash to benefit disaster victims, I can chip in some flowers, no? Someone might want them, right? Right!

So here is the deal…
If you make a donation to the Red Cross of $20 or more, and I will recognize your generosity by sending you a big fat beautiful coffee filter flower.

Here is how it works…

• You make a donation of $20.00(USD) or more.
• You email me an address where I can send the flower. No receipt required. Your word is good enough. Emailauntpeaches@gmail.com subject line “Thank You Flower Project”….cutoff is 100 people or 12am CST on Friday March 18, 2011…whichever comes first.
• A week or so later, an envelope with a flower will hit your mail box.

Yup, it’s that easy.

Obviously, this project hinges on an honor code. I give you my word I will not use your information for any other purpose than to send you a flower, and you give me your word you made a donation.

Please understand, this isn’t a gimmick or a ploy to stir up followers or push a product. I just figured that if anyone out there was either a) on the fence about donating, or b) had any interest in bringing one of these flowers home, well here you go! No obligations or expectations. Just another way to facilitate a good deed for both of us 🙂

I knew there would be questions…

What if I already made a donation?
That’s great! Send me an email. If you are in a position to give another $20, go for it! I leave this up to you. Bottom line is: you donated so give yourself a cookie AND A FLOWER!

Can I make a donation to another organization instead?
That’s good to hear. My target for this project is disaster relief, and the Red Cross, from most accounts, is the international expert in that arena. If you prefer to donate to another disaster relief organization, go for it, but tell me a little something about the other organization in your email, and why you prefer to contribute there instead of the Red Cross. I’m not questioning your choice–I’m just curious.

Can I pick what my flower will look like?
Nope. This is a grab-bag approach. Most of the flowers are already made and sitting in tissue paper in storage. They are all very nice but they are not custom orders. And seriously, wouldn’t you love a surprise in the mailbox?!

Can anyone get a flower?
Yes. One flower per household, but beyond that, no limit. I’m happy to send these to any location, inside or outside the US. You can also make a donation on behalf of someone else and I’ll send the flower to them directly. Come on, doesn’t your third cousin Griselda deserve a dahlia made from coffee filters? Of course she does!

Can I make a larger donation and get more than one flower?
Sorry, one flower per household. But your generosity is appreciated!

Again, this project functions on the honor system. I have great faith in strangers and know that we can accomplish tremendous things when we put our heads together.

Thanks y’all.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Regardless of whether or not you like my flowers, I hope you will take a minute out of your day to help those who are currently weathering the storm. The Huffington Post offers a comprehensive list regarding ways you can help.



American Red Cross
PO Box 4002018 | Des Moines, IA 50340-2018 | Donate Online


International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
P.O. Box 372 | CH-1211 Geneva 19 | Switzerland | Donate Online