2020 • ISSUE FOUR QUARTERLY NEWS FOR ENDOWMENT SUPPORTERS

AFE’s Awarded Educational Why Support AFE – A History of Giving Grants for 2020 Read About Lee Phillip Bell and Be Inspired

When William and Lee Phillip Bell created their popular daytime drama, “The Bold and the Beautiful,” presumably they sought a name that would lure potential viewers. Unintentionally they selected one that perfectly describes Ms. Bell. A woman of striking beauty, she and her husband took a bold step and created, co-produced and launched their first daytime drama, “The Young and the Restless” in 1973. By Sten Crissey, Past Trustee “The Bold and the Beautiful” followed 14 years later. The Bell’s two successful dramas earned them 18 Emmy Awards and it also enabled them to reside in a mansion whose prior owners included Cary Grant 16 organizations will receive funding and Howard Hughes. (Since her death this February, the home has been purchased by through our 2020-2021 Educational LeBron James of NBA fame.) Grants. Sadly, Lee Phillip Bell died in February at This year’s list includes 5 new programs the age of 91; her husband died in 2005. in addition to continued funding for 11 The American Floral Endowment ongoing programs. The funding will support honors their memories by sharing educational training, conference program the story of their successes and support, and industry resources for floral generosity – encouraging others to industry members, students, and faculty. give as Ms. Bell gave. Through AFE’s Educational Grants programs, organizations, universities, or industry groups continued on page 4 can apply for grant funding or sponsorships from the Endowment. Every organization that AFE supports provides an important resource or program that is vital to the advancement and The AFE Bulletin is proudly sponsored success of the floral industry. by The Todd Bachman Memorial Fund.

The Annual Educational Grants prioritize Todd Bachman served as Chairman and CEO of programs that are wide-reaching and those that Bachman’s before his untimely death in 2008. Todd was aim to bring young professionals to our industry. a past chairman of the American Floral Endowment Weight is also placed on educational programs and was very active in many state and national industry that help industry members grow and those organizations. Those who knew him will always that help identify and solve industry needs and remember what a great communicator he was and his challenges. outstanding leadership and devotion to work and family. His wife and daughters are honored to carry on his legacy. continued on page 2 continued from page 1 AFE’s Awarded Educational Grants for 2020

Congratulations to the following Continued Funding: organizations and programs „ America In Bloom Symposium „ University of Florida: receiving funding in 2020! AFE is Greenhouse Training Online proud to support your ongoing efforts „ American Institute of Floral Designers: Bringing FFA to AIFD Course Development and to grow and develop the floral industry. Delivery „ American Society for Horticultural Newly Funded Projects: Sciences: Seeing Your Professional Future „ Wisconsin & Upper Michigan Florists Association Annual „ Coming into Focus Kansas State University: Developing Convention Digital Horticulture Teaching „ Clemson University: STEM It Up Program Resources In addition to the mentioned „ E-Gro Alert and Webinars Educational Grants, AFE also „ Mississippi State University: Aerobic „ Great Lakes Floral Expo Mound Composting of Fresh Cut administers programs that support Floral Waste „ National Floriculture Forum floriculture research, scholarships, and internship programs. „ Mobil Floral Lab: CUBA „ Seed Your Future: National Movement to Promote Horticulture Visit endowment.org/grants for „ National Alliance of Floral Associations Annual Meeting „ The University of Kentucky and North more information. Carolina State: Nutrient Monitoring „ Texas State Florists’ Associations: TSFA Portal Educating Educators

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AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four | 2 | AFE Awards More than $38,500 in 2020 Scholarships

Ranjeeta Adhikari Meghan Bundick Annabelle Caswell Brian Curley Adam D’Angelo Josey Darby Nicole Davidson Helene Dondero

Nicholas Dzurenda Elaina Eberz Renata Goossen Emily Kolbe Keller Shemwell Jordyn Silva Caleb Spall

We have awarded 15 students with 2020 Scholarship Recipients: scholarships totaling $38,500. Fifty-nine „ „ applications were received for this 2020 American Florists' Exchange Richard T. Meister Scholarship scholarship cycle. Scholarship — $2,400 — $4,000 James Bridenbaugh Memorial Recipient: Ranjeeta Adhikari, "We had many overachieving students apply Scholarship — $500 Purdue University for scholarships this year, which is why some Recipient: Jordyn Silva, Modesto „ National Greenhouse scholarships were awarded to more than Junior College Manufacturers Association (NGMA) one recipient," said Greg Royer, Chairman „ Julio and Sarah Armellini Scholarship — $500 of the Education Committee. "I'm proud Scholarship — $2,200 Recipient: Annabelle Caswell, to see the high quality of students each Recipient: Meghan Bundick, West University of Connecticut year, and I enjoy being a part of granting Virginia University scholarships to these well-deserved students „ Mike and Flo Novovesky encouraging them to continue their „ Ball Horticultural Company Scholarship — $2,700 education and become passionate Scholarship — $1,100 Recipient: Josey Darby, Texas A&M industry leaders." Earl Dedman Memorial Scholarship University — $2,000 „ Lawrence "Bud" Ohlman Memorial Recipient: Renata Goossen, Kansas Scholarship — $2,500 State University Vocational (Bettinger, Holden, and „ BioWorks IPM/Sustainable Perry) Scholarship — $1,500 Practices Scholarship — $1,200 Recipient: Brian Curley, University Recipient: Nicholas Dzurenda, of Massachusetts Virginia Tech „ Seed Companies Scholarship „ CalFlowers Scholarship — $5,800 — $2,500 Upcoming Deadlines for Scholarships Recipient: Nicole Davidson, City Recipient: Adam D’Angelo, and Internships: College of San Francisco University of Wisconsin „ Two Floriculture MS/Ph.D. „ John Carew Memorial Scholarship „ John L. Tomasovic Sr. Scholarship Scholarships – Feb 1st — $2,000 — $1,200 Apply at endowment.org/ Recipient: Caleb Spall, Michigan Recipient: Elaina Eberz, Oregon floriculture-msphd-scholarship/ State University State University „ Floral Industry Internships – March 1st „ Ferriss Horticulture Scholarship „ Jacob and Rita Van Namen Apply at endowment.org/ — $2,000 Marketing Scholarship — $1,200 internships/ Recipient: Emily Kolbe, University Recipient: Helene Dondero, „ Business Internships – of Wisconsin California Polytechnic State University Applications Accepted Year- „ Garcia Family Scholarship — $1,200 Round Recipient: Keller Shemwell, Learn about our 2020 Scholarship Apply at endowment.org/students/ University of Missouri Recipients at endowment. business-internship/ org/2020scholarshipawards/

| 3 | AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four Why Support AFE – A History of Giving

continued from page 1 Read About Lee Phillip Bell and Be Inspired In 2008, Lee Phillip Bell established the James and Helen Phillip Floral Design Grant with a gift of $500,000 to the American Floral Endowment. Her ties to the floral industry stem from her parents who founded “Phillip’s Flowers,” a very successful re- tail florist in Chicago. The business continues to be owned and operated by second, third and fourth generation family mem- bers. When establishing the grant, Ms. Bell noted, “It’s a joy to honor James and Helen Phillip by helping people prepare to earn a livelihood in the flower business, which has meant so much to our family.” To simply focus on Ms. Bell’s obvious wealth would miss who she truly was. Warm and gracious with an easy smile, she made visitors feel comfortable and glad to be in her presence. This certainly was the case in 2007 when her nephew, Jim Phillip, and I visited her to discuss a possible gift to AFE. Yes, she was “warm and gracious,” but only a fool would take Lee Bell for granted and she did not suffer fools lightly. One does not acquire such wealth without the savvy to steward it wisely. So, when we approached her about a gift to honor her parents, she asked numerous questions: How much money does AFE currently invest? Who invests the funds and how? How much is distributed for charitable purposes annually? How does AFE „ If you have an old life insurance policy you no longer need, identify scholarship recipients? And the questions went on… you can make AFE the owner and beneficiary of the policy After a thorough vetting, Ms. Bell determined her parents and receive an immediate tax credit. would indeed be honored if she invested in the Endowment. „ If you own appreciated stock, you can gift the stock to AFE. Because her gift is endowed, the James and Helen Phillip By doing so you avoid all capital gains taxes AND you can Floral Design Grant will live on in perpetuity, honoring her declare a charitable gift deduction for the market value of parents forevermore. the stock. „ Lee Phillip Bell is not alone. Others have been inspired to invest Specific to this year, the 2020 Congressional CARES Act provides the following enhanced charitable generously in AFE. A former trustee designated 5% of his estate contributions incentives: to the Endowment in his will. Asked if his generosity might upset his heirs he responded, “Look, if my heirs cannot get „ First, it provides for a deduction for cash donations for along with 95% of my estate something else is very wrong. The nonitemizers of up to $300. That is, taxpayers can deduct these amounts even if they elect the standard deduction. floral industry has provided the means to support our whole family. My heirs will be very happy we expressed our gratitude „ Second, it eliminates the limit on cash gifts of individuals through this gift.” to public charities (but not to donor advised funds, supporting organizations, or private foundations). The future of our industry depends on advancements through „ Third, it increases the limit on charitable contributions research and the access students can gain through scholarships from corporations to 25% of taxable income. and grants. But it won’t happen without broad industry support. As year-end approaches, we should all reflect on our lives and the benefits we have received through the floral industry, then The good news is that there are many easy and tax-wise give generously to AFE in the spirit of Lee Phillip Bell. ways to support AFE: To donate today visit: endowment.org/donate/ „ Gifts of cash are tax deductible. „ If you have an IRA, by working with your account For more information on tax-wise ways to support the floral administrator, you can rollover funds directly to AFE and industry through AFE, contact Debi Chedester at 703-838-5239 thereby exempt them from taxable income. or [email protected].

AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four | 4 | Is Your IRA in Full Bloom? Do something great (and tax-smart)!

If you have an IRA, by working with your account administrator, you can rollover funds directly to AFE and thereby exempt them from taxable income. Consult your tax advisor for more details.

Consider making a direct donation from your IRA to the Floral Endowment! Learn more at Endowment.org.IRAbloom

Make your charitable gift for the future of floral!

Questions? Please contact Debi Chedester at 703-838-5239| 5 | or [email protected] Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four

Floral ad_final.indd 3 10/22/2019 1:05:38 PM Holiday Marketing Series: Part 1 By Cindy Hanauer, Trustee Emeritus What’s in “Store” for the 2020 Holiday Season? Will It Be Naughty or Nice? is that we and our customers are learning. On Dasher, On Dancer, On Master and While many variables are still unknown, Visa! Without doubt, the 2020 holiday the coronavirus doesn’t have to steal season will be one for the record books Christmas. The most successful businesses — either good, bad or somewhere in have not waited to get back to normal but, the middle! The timeline of Christmas in fact, have pushed the envelope toward selling continues to evolve, with Black new ways to interact with customers and entice them to buy. Our customers hope to Friday and Cyber Monday compelling return to normal as quickly as we do! Let’s many retailers to be “first out” with the meet them safely along that path! holiday. As a result, the transition time between Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, 2. Work with Your Suppliers and 4. Ramp Up the Service Initiative and Christmas has become shorter Wholesalers Almost half of all consumers report that and shorter each year as we compete This isn’t a time to “work solo”. It’s time they would return to a retailer if they with the efficiency of the 24/7 online to work in lockstep with your favorite felt that the retailer understood both “clicks” to buy floral products and suppliers and wholesalers. By becoming their visible and their latent needs. No familiar with a supplier’s supply chain doubt…. repeat purchases are the “Holy challenges and adapting to it, the retail Grail” in our business, and in today’s side will have a much greater opportunity world. Brainstorm with the team! Are to grow exponentially. Schedule an online there new ways that could raise your planning meeting, and don’t be afraid to company’s service image at a time when ask questions. your customers need white-glove service the most? Are there ways to make online 3. Review New Category and offline shopping more convenient in Opportunities today’s environment? Did you know that many online “flower” other gifting items. In addition, the companies sell more non-floral products 5. Appeal to the Senses convenience of same-day, next day, than flowers? Maybe now is the time to Remember… customers shop with and free delivery options has raised the review your line-up and assess additional five senses, not one. Many times, a bar of service expectations in the eyes lines that may provide additional income merchandising plan focuses solely on the of today’s consumers. And this year, to your business. Did you know that 70% visual aspect and completely disregards we’ve fast-forwarded into “the Sword of of gift purchases are unplanned? Your the other four senses. As we discussed Damocles”, where COVID-19 has piled customers are already coming to you for a at the beginning, retail has dramatically on additional pressures to an already “gift”, so what else may they be interested changed and the best way for us to stress-filled selling season! So, what’s in in buying that would coordinate with their compete with online, non-floral gifting store this year and how can we formulate plant or flower purchase? Fact: An average options is to ramp up our merchandising elements to engage all five of these a business plan that will mitigate the U.S. household will spend $1500 on senses. sleigh-loads of challenges this year? Here Christmas gifts this year in addition to $60 are five key business elements for your per household in decorative purchases. Now more than ever, the importance consideration: of a tight business strategy and a well- executed merchandising plan will become 1. Don’t give The Grinch too much the conjoining force between customer power engagement and the optimization of The light at the end of the tunnel is your sales and profit goals. While we’re all happening now, albeit much more collectively standing under the mistletoe slowly than many of us would like. — let’s hope for that sweet kiss of success Businesses are opening back up to a in 2020! “new normal” as our customers are Read the Full Article at endowment. simultaneously learning how to navigate org/2020-holiday-season through this pandemic. The “good news”

AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four | 6 | Holiday Marketing Series: Part 2 By Cindy Hanauer, Trustee Emeritus How Do I Love Thee? Let’s Count the Dollars! Valentine’s Week 2021 Indeed, we’re all reciting love B. Were there any weather the most accurate forecast and sonnets to the success of or product shortage provide a better foundation for Valentine Week 2021, anomalies in 2020 financial tracking as Valentine’s week as 2020 has dulled that likely will not progresses. so many financial recur in 2021? 2. Understand Target Spending arrows! In 2020, If the weather Thresholds Valentine’s Day and/or supply fell on a Friday, is more stable 3. Understand Your Customer Mix and in 2021, in 2021, there 4. Expand Your Product Categories Valentine’s Day may be some will move to the upside as a end of a weekend result. - SUNDAY! Yikes! C. What is your In the retail floral target sales increase? business, this is equal to Can you exceed it while kissing a frog! simultaneously maintaining But Cupid’s not the only one with strong profitability? arrows in his quiver! How do we hit D. Dig out your sales records from our financial bull’s eye and convert the 2016, which was the last time that pigeons of discontent into the bluebirds Valentine’s Day fell on a Sunday. What of happiness? With Valentine’s Day holding sales increase percentage was achieved court as the first- or second-largest versus the prior year and what was the sales week of the year and generating unit increase percentage from year to 30 percent to 40 percent of the year’s year based on this similar calendar? This total holiday dollars, it’s safe to say that information will be a big clue for 2021’s a successful Valentine Sunday! 5. Enhance and Advertise Contactless Valentine’s Shopping Day in E. Are there any factors that may As entrepreneur Richard Branson 2021 will cause a non-organic sales increase in said, “Customers shouldn’t think of your be a crucial 2021 such as a remodeled store, new business as a place to buy a product or component product categories, less competition, use a service. It should be a fun place to of organic or increased customer traffic? Factor in be!” growth across those changes for a potential upside! the entire F. Are there any factors that may cause Valentine’s Week 2021 is a time to industry. a non-organic sales decrease in 2021 go all out with in-store excitement and engaging associates. Plan some So how do we “count the ways” toward a such as reduced retails, less labor, fewer fun employee contests or coordinate successful Valentine’s Week in 2021? Here product categories, new competition, customer prizes. Aside from all the are FIVE important strategies for your or less customer traffic? Factor in those budgeting, marketing, and planning, consideration: changes for a potential downside. the best way to a customer’s wallet is G. Sales dollars alone don’t tell the full 1. Plan the Work, and Work the Plan to focus on the feeling they get when story. Be sure to calculate and budget Budgets for a holiday — especially one they’re face-to-face with your helpful anticipated customer count, retail of this magnitude — must be calculated employees and heart-full products! with acute detail, factoring in the following sales per customer, and total units by Read the Full Article at endowment. components: category. Start the budget-building process by individual SKU, then roll org/valentines-week-2021 A. What were your base Valentine’s Day them up into category sales and then sales in 2020? Let’s start there. into total store budget. This will create

| 7 | AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four AFE’s Giving Tuesday 2020 Show us how you're #un.sel.fie participating! noun: "uhn-sell-fie"

Share a photo using the hashtag : 1. A way to show your support for #GivingTuesday and AFE! Take a picture, tag #Unselfie, #GivingTuesday #Unselfie & AFE, and upload to your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with a caption about why you're participating.

Let us know why you're participating @american_floral_endowment in #GivingTuesday and tag us on @americanfloralendowment any of our platforms. @FloralEndowment $25+ = One "Keep Calm and Buy Flowers" Phone Wallet Giving Tuesday is a “global generosity movement” that encourages people around the world to do good. Every act of generosity counts! $50+ = One #GivingtoGrow Face Mask This year, Giving Tuesday falls on December 1st.

endowment.org/givingtuesday Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. American Floral Endowment is participating in Giving Tuesday by asking our community to give what they can to support the floral industry through research, scholarships, internships, and grants. To Learn More and Get Involved visit endowment.org/givingtuesday/

Donations to AFE are tax-deductible.

Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Arthur Brentwood Humphrey

Announcing a new emblazoned with a lightning memorial tribute in bolt and the famous phrase “I memory of Arthur Survived Awful Arthur” at the Brentwood Humphrey, completion of a project. a longtime friend of the Arthur would ask that we floral industry who died on all remember to share your October 6, 2020, at the age knowledge and your love, pay of 74. The $1,000 fund was if forward whenever you can, established by the Mayme and love as hard as you can. Leong Family of Ah Sam If you do these things, he will Florist and Ken & Lynn Young of Phoenix be by your side encouraging you to… “Just Flower Shops. get ‘er Done” as you traverse your day. And American Floral Endowment Arthur was the owner of FM3 Systems and sometimes, if things do not work out as c/o Arthur Brentwood Humphrey provided computer consulting services planned, you might hear a whisper… “At Memorial Tribute and business solutions to florists across the Least it Demo’d Well”. 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 201 country to help increase their productivity Arthur is survived by his wife Jamie, Alexandria, VA 22314 and profitability. Arthur had a special way daughter Catherine Trice and her husband of coming into your world and turning The family is always notified of donations and John. it upside down to point you in the right contributions can be made in any amount. direction. His unique process and style Contributions to the Arthur Brentwood Read More at endowment.org/memorial- affectionately earned him the nickname of Humphrey Memorial Tribute can be tributes “Awful Arthur” and he often rewarded his made online at endowment.org/donate/, clients with a special limited edition t-shirt or by sending a check to:

AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four | 8 | Successful Poinsettia Packing, Shipping, and Handling

temperatures several degrees during the Provide Display Instructions to final four weeks. ‘Luxurious consumption’ Retailers of water and fertilizer promotes rapid Share handling instructions with bract expansion. Calcium is translocated the retailer since some store-level very poorly from the roots to the bracts employees may not have handled that result in calcium deficiency and with poinsettias in the past. The key rapid bract enlargement sufficient calcium elements for retail handling are: is not available in the bracts. The serious problem begins when the burn provides 1. Remove plants from boxes and an entry point for Botrytis spores. Botrytis remove sleeves upon arrival. If the By AFE Research Coordinator, Dr. Terril Nell growth is rapid in high humidity once the plants are on carts, they can remain spores infect the bracts. Entire bracts may in sleeves and on carts for a couple Preparing Your Poinsettias for be destroyed in 2–3 days. It is best to water of days. Keep carts out of direct Shipping and Retail Display Begins at plants the day before sleeving and boxing sunlight. Bract Color to avoid high moisture levels in the sleeves 2. Check soil moisture and water only Maintaining Poinsettia quality from and shipping boxes. if the soil is beginning to dry. production to consumer is paramount The solution to preventing bract edge 3. Do not allow water to stand in the to increasing sales. Proper production burn: pot covers – roots will be damaged if practices, shipping and handling plants sit in water. procedures and care at retail stores will Spraying calcium weekly beginning at the assure long lasting and high quality first sign of bract color delivers calcium 4. Display in a well-lit area. Avoid plants for consumers. directly to the bracts and prevents the direct sunlight and cold air drafts. occurrence of necrotic spots. It is best to 5. Check soil moisture every 1–2 days In the past, growers would ‘harden off’ use calcium chloride, calcium chelates, or a and water only if the soil is beginning crops to prepare them for the entire cal-mag fertilizer. The use of calcium nitrate to dry. handling, shipping, and handling is discouraged since the plants do not need programs by reducing watering and nitrogen at this stage of growth. Apply Following these four simple guidelines fertilizer and lowering temperatures. calcium at 400 parts per million calcium will make your poinsettias more Today, poinsettia performance is best weekly with a spreader sticker from the resilient to the stresses of storage, when plants are grown with strong beginning of bract color to shipping. shipping, and display. And, the plants root systems and are grown lean in will perform much better for the the final four weeks just as plants Packaging/Sleeving consumer. were ‘hardened-off in the past. In It is best to sleeve plants for as short a this ‘How-to” article, I am going to period as possible. Water plants the day summarize the best management before sleeving and boxing or placement practices into four factors. Let us on racks. Moist soil will raise the humidity look at the primary factors leading to within the sleeves and promote the growth successful handling and shipping. of Botrytis. Prevent Bract Edge Burn Shipping This devastating decay of bracts must Poinsettias need to be shipped at be prevented because it is nearly temperatures of 53–57 F. Temps impossible to cure once it becomes below 50 F will cause chilling visible. Bract Edge Burn is caused by damage. If calcium sprays calcium deficiency just like tomato have been used, boxing, blossom end rot. Calcium deficiency storage, and shipping can causes a small necrotic, black spot on be 3–4 days. Some varieties the edge of the bracts. The problem is may be sensitive to extended worse when plants are grown the final storage and shipping periods 4 weeks with high fertilizer, a generous and the plants may develop supply of water, warm temperature, yellow leaves and drop leaves and and high humidity. In many cases, cyathia prematurely. it is best to lower the day and night

| 9 | AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four Announcing AFE and Rio Roses Virtual Mask-erade Photo Contest Winner!

We transformed our Annual Q. Why did Cactus Flower Florists Fundraising dinner into a Virtual choose to support AFE? Mask-erade Event featuring Photo A. Luoma noted, “When my parents Fred Contest sponsored by Rio Roses and Sharron Luoma opened our doors in 1972, AFE was already educating florists The contest ran from August until across the country on how we could mid-September and encouraged be stewards of our floral community. participants to use their Giving to AFE continues this today by providing Grow event mask to design their own scholarships to floral professionals, chain mask-erade look. The best mask-erade of life training to keep flowers beautiful photo wins 50 stems of Rio Roses sent for longer and research programs for to them monthly for an entire year our future. My sister, Kristina Dyrr, and I starting this month! support AFE because AFE supports us, Out of over 90 entries, Cactus Flower our family business, and betters the floral Florists in Scottsdale, Arizona won community.” and will be receiving FREE roses for a This upcoming year will actually mark YEAR! Rio Roses conducted scoring AFE’s 60th anniversary of supporting based on design technique/creativity, the floral industry through scholarships, uniqueness, and location/background. internships, grants, and other Presenting the winning mask-erade industry programs. The funding look is Cactus Flower’s mask model from the Virtual Mask-erade will and Event Designer, Jackie Lee: go help fund these initiatives along with new research and The American Floral Endowment’s development during a time Manager of Communications and Outreach, Karin Krause, when the industry especially spoke with some of the Cactus Flower Florists’ team, needs the ability to adapt and President & Owner, Eric Luoma, and Head Designer, Phil face new challenges. Dickinson, to learn a bit more about why he supported the Giving to Grow Virtual Mask-erade, what inspired Q. What inspired your mask design and photo? the winning mask-erade design, and get a better A. “I was inspired by the colors of our Arizona sunsets and paired understanding of Cactus Flower’s background. the mask with a bridal bouquet being created in the design Q. Why did you get involved in AFE’s Giving to Grow room by our mask model/event designer Jackie Lee. The result was an elegant design using succulents, spray roses and hints of Virtual Mask-erade? eucalyptus,” said Dickinson. “Cactus Flower Florists is dedicated to A. “My friend and fellow florist, Ken Young, asked Cactus creating standout floral designs for our discerning clients and now Flower Florists to support the American Floral Endowment proud to bring that beauty to face masks!” by participating in the Giving to Grow Virtual Mask-erade to give back during this challenging time,” said Luoma. “I The American Floral Endowment and Rio Roses congratulate the jumped at the chance and asked our design team to curate Cactus Flower Florists team on their win and look forward to seeing elegant mask décor that we could not only share with fellow what creative designs they create with their monthly delivery of florists, but to our own clientele in the Scottsdale area.” free roses. We are grateful for the continued support from the floral industry and thank each of our participants for joining our virtual As a member of our Board of Trustees, Ken Young, regularly event. AFE looks forward to continuing to pay it forward through promotes AFE’s events and initiatives to his network in the providing research, funds, and resources; we couldn’t do it without floral industry. AFE is extremely grateful for all of the Board’s the commitment of our community. efforts, which ensured that our mask-erade was a success. Missed the event? Check out the photos at endowment.org/ givingtogrow-photos

AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four | 10 | A Special Thanks to our Sponsors! Giving On behalf of the AFE Board of Trustees and staff, we thank our to generous sponsors who contributed over $80,000 for our 2020 Grow Virtual Mask-erade Fundraising Dinner.

Mask Sponsors Mask Design Contest Platinum Sponsor Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors Copper Sponsors Iron Sponsors Ball Tagawa Growers BioWorks Fresca Farms L.C. Chuck & Claudia Johnson Morgan Floral Lafayette Florist & Cactus Flower Florists GravityFree Chuck Gainan Norton’s Flowers & Gifts Greenhouses, Inc. Candle Artisans OHP Diane Lagerstedt Stadium Flowers McNamara Florist Connor Park Florist Phillip’s Flowers Dwight & Dawn Larimer Sten & Maryann Crissey Mellano & Company Continental Flowers Phoenix Flower Shops Flowers By George, Inc. Susan & John Yoder DESIGN MASTER color Penny’s by Plaza Flowers In Bloom Flowers & Gifts Terril & Cathy Nell tool, inc. Smithers-Oasis/Floralife/ Jamie Kitz Viviano Flower Shop Florabundance Oasis Grower Solutions James Faust Walter Knoll Florist Mayfield Florist WinField United

| 11 | AFE Bulletin | 2020 | Issue Four 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 201

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2021 marks the 60th Anniversary of AFE. AFE. of Anniversary 60th the marks 2021 Endowment.org/60th Endowment.org/60th #AFEandMe