California community to promote caring through event
Rose Livingstone is optimistic that a new event will help hope blossom in the community of California.
Livingstone’s floral shop and other businesses in the California downtown area are coming together to celebrate “California: A Community of Caring” event.
“What we are doing is we are getting in 10,000 roses, and we are going to pass out a single rose to people who go to church that Sunday (Sept. 9),” explained Livingstone, owner of Flowers by Regina. “High school kids are going to go to the senior citizens (apartments) on Sept. 11 (to pass out roses).”
Livingstone added that people who visit downtown businesses on Sept. 11 will receive three roses and will be instructed to keep one and give the other two to people they care about.
The roses were purchased with funds that were collected by participating businesses.
Livingstone said this is the first time this event has taken place in California.
“Years and years ago, I used to do an event called ‘Good Neighbor Day.’ This is where they would get a free dozen of roses and they would keep one (rose) and give the others away,” said Livingstone.
Livingstone wanted to take the idea of “Good Neighbor Day” and grow the event to include local businesses and schools.
“It pretty much started as grassroots with the businesses. I wanted to bring everybody in,” she said. “I wanted to bring the high school students in to pass out the roses to the senior citizens.”
Livingstone also added that she is working with the schools to organize a poster contest to be displayed around town.
With the giving of roses to loved ones, Livingstone wants people to have a positive experience this Sept. 11.
“I think it will make the people in California feel appreciated and bring a good feeling to the community,” she said. “(I hope the event shows) that the community of California cares about them.”