Free Flower Bouquets: 'Petal It Forward' Pasadena, Glen Burnie

PASADENA, MD — Maher’s Florist in Pasadena will be giving away 250 bouquets to commuters and residents in three communities for free this Wednesday, with only one hitch: recipients must pass along the love.

As part of the Society of American Florists' national "Petal It Forward" campaign, the store's floral team will be on the streets in Wednesday, giving away two bouquets to randomly chosen pedestrians. Look for the flower ambassadors at three locations:

• Chick-fil-A at Glen Burnie Town Center from 7 to 9 a.m.
• Severna Park Plaza, 1 to 3 p.m.
• Chesterfield Plaza in Pasadena from 4 to 5 p.m.

Their only ask? That you give away one bunch of flowers "to a friend, family member, co-worker, or even a complete stranger who could use a smile."

Wendy Maher, owner of Maher’s Florist in Pasadena, says the business is prepared to hand out 250 bouquets to folks on the streets on Oct. 19. This is the shop's first year taking part in the event, which began five years ago in New York City.

“We’ll reach out to everybody that we can find,” Maher said. “Flowers make people smile anyhow.”

The national campaign is underway in 207 cities in 49 states, according to a Petal It Forward press release.

According to that release, "The campaign aims to highlight the benefits of flowers and leverage study findings that show how flowers have an immediate impact on happiness and a long-term positive effect on moods (and that people report the best reason to receive flowers is 'just because')."
»Patch file photo