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Supporting Florida Florists
The Florida Florist Fund is an Endowed Fund established within the AIFD Foundation. Contributions to the fund are restricted assets held in perpetuity. The interest and dividends, awarded each year, as recommended by the Florida Florist Fund Committee and approved by the AIFD Foundation Board of Trustees, provide Florida florists with educational opportunities and available funds in time of catastrophic need.
Florida Florist Fund Representative
Andreia Muller AIFD
The Florida Florist Fund Representative is a voting member of the AIFD Foundation Board of Trustees.
Florida Florist Endowed Fund Committee
Chair Andreia Muller AIFD
Tina Coker AIFD
Deborah De La Flor AIFD
Ralph Giordano AIFD
Brooke Raulerson AIFD
The Florida Florist Fund Committee reviews Grant and Scholarship Applications and submits recommendations to the AIFD Foundation Board of Trustees.
Help us continue to help others! Contribute to the Florida Florist Endowed Fund.
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A number of years ago, a Florida State Florists’ Association (FSFA) member, who was also a member of AIFD and one who worked to develop the design talents of many, became very sick from the dreaded disease that became known as AIDS. Like so many, he had no insurance for healthcare and minimal funds due to being ill for quite some time and unable to work. Out of friendship, Deborah De La Flor AIFD, Sylvia Lawless and Ann Martin AIFD joined together to assist him financially and began to discuss ways to help others in need.
Martin wrote a letter to FSFA inquiring about possible financial support to learn that there were no funds earmarked for this purpose. Within weeks, others were discovered to be in the same dire situation increasing awareness of the tremendous need to establish a foundation to benefit floral designers residing in Florida. Ten florists soon gathered with each contributing one hundred dollars to start the fund.
In one weekend, the purpose, mission statement, policies and procedures were developed with copies sent to the team for approval and filed with the help of an attorney friend to become a 501C3 Foundation. Fundraising, programs and projects were held across the state to build the Florida Florist Foundation. American Floral Services (AFS) President Herman Meinders contributed generously. Teleflora Vice President of Industry Relations Rocky Pollitz AIFD presented programs, printed stationary and contributed generously, both personally and with the support Teleflora. Each volunteer knew the true meaning of the word, giving unselfishly in support of the goals of the project without personal reward.
Between August 13 and September 25, the 2004 hurricane season brought four back-to-back hurricanes, the worst in Florida's history. Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne caused more than $45 billion in damages and dumped 30 inches of rainfall. A number of florists were forced out of business or closed for some time due to needed repairs. Martin wrote letters advising industry leaders of these disasters and asked for their support. FTD provided continued support with corporate participation. Teleflora contributed generously. FSFA board members learned of this support and voted to contribute $4,000 to the fund. AFS President and CEO Tom Butler arrived in Florida and rode with Ann Martin and Jim Vobornik for two days, presenting a check to fourteen different shop owners. The fund continued to grow as awareness of these tremendous efforts increased.
The decision to establish the Florida Florist Fund, within the AIFD Foundation, was made in 2007 and in the spring of 2008 the final transfer of funds was made from the Florida Florist Foundation to the Florida Florist Fund to be held within the AIFD Foundation. This named fund became the largest single gift, to date, given to the AIFD Foundation. The Florida Florist Endowed Fund, under the AIFD Foundation umbrella, would continue to promote education and catastrophic assistance throughout the state of Florida. The AIFD Foundation Board of Trustees expanded the purpose of the overall AIFD Foundation to include catastrophic assistance to those in need. This component was most helpful when Hurricane Irma hit Florida in 2017 and over $15,000 was distributed to those in need.
Just prior to the final transfer of funds to the AIFD Foundation, the Florida Florist Foundation Board elected Ann Martin AIFD, Emmett O’Dell AIFD, Charlotte Garrison, Russ Barley AIFD and Richard Deighton to serve as the founding members of the Florida Florist Endowed Fund Committee. This committee would elect one person to represent the Florida Florist Fund Committee on the AIFD Foundation Board of Trustees. Today, the Florida Florist Endowed Fund Committee reviews Grant Applications for catastrophic need and educational possibilities. Though the committee members have changed, over the years, the goals remain the same and that is to support those in need and to provide the absolute best in education for Florida florists.
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