Red Twig Farms in New Albany, Ohio, is brightening the community with tulips and peonies through their Donate to a Stranger program.
One of the Midwest’s leading flower farms has kept busy during the coronavirus pandemic by offering blooms for shipping, local delivery and drive-through pick-up—as well as a popular Donate to a Stranger program.
“We completed the Donate 10 Tulip Stems for $10 to a Stranger to Spread the Hope last week — 1,011 bouquets were purchased and handed out to those on the front line, medical/hospital, first responders, strangers in the park, grocery workers and more,” said Lindsey McCullough, who co-owns Red Twig Farms in New Albany, Ohio, with her husband, Josh.
“Thank you so much!!” @redsadle, one of the recipients of the tulips, wrote on Instagram. “It certainly brightened our day and put some ‘spring’ in our steps! Labor and Delivery at MCSA” (Mount Carmel Health in Columbus, Ohio).
Now, the farm is offering Donate 5 Peony Stems to a Stranger for $15, starting June 1. Buyers can choose whether the donated bouquet will go to a medical worker, fire/police worker, grocery worker, park bench, any stranger in need, nursing home, schoolteacher, Meals on Wheels or a recipient of Red Twig Farms’ choosing. Red Twig Farms delivers the stems.
“Spread the Hope is not just needed during the uncertain times. It’s needed 365 days a year, and our followers and customers asked us to keep this going into peony season so we are doing just that,” Lindsey said.
Red Twig Farms harvest tulips, daffodils and peonies.
Thousands of people typically attend the farm's signature two-day event, called Peony Fest, but this year may be a bit different. The farm is waiting to see how state guidelines for businesses evolve, but is considering an event more like Peony Express with drive-through options. The website will be updated May 2 with details of the 2020 event.
"But no matter what, 2021 Peony Fest will be better than ever!" Lindsey said. "We have the best team and customers anyone could ask for. They are keeping us going during these uncertain times, but one thing is for sure, we will continue to spread hope, love and joy through flowers."