Random Acts of Flowers founder Larsen Jay with his wife and partner, Adrian Jay.
Knoxville-based nonprofit Random Acts of Flowers specializes in bringing smiles to the faces of people in health care facilities. On a recent scorcher of a Friday evening, benefactors Hash and Nazzy Hashemian brought smiles to faces of Random Acts of Flowers donors and volunteers by hosting a beautiful fundraising party at their West Knox County home.
As you may know, Random Acts of Flowers was founded in 2008 by Larsen Jay of Knoxville. Following a near-fatal accident, Jay was recovering in the hospital and was cheered up by the dozens of visitors who came to see him and the stunning flower arrangements many of them brought. He thinks these kindnesses actually helped him heal.
When Jay was able to walk around the hospital, he noticed that many of his fellow patients didn’t have any visitors or flowers. So he began “re-gifting” some of his arrangements. He was touched by the smiles the simple act generated. When he got out of the hospital, he formed a nonprofit to recycle and re-purpose flower arrangements to be distributed to folks in hospitals and nursing homes.
Today, Random Acts operates not only in Knoxville, but also in Indianapolis, Chicago, Tampa Bay and the Silicon Valley.
As you can imagine, the flowers at the fundraiser were amazing.
What a beautiful location.
The view from the back balcony.
The hosts, Hash and Nazzy Hashemian, and their daughter, Nikki, at left.
From left, Tim and Amy Williams with Sheila and Brent Watson.
From left, Kay Clayton, Madison Wilder and Madison’s mother, Cindi DeBusk.
Melissa and Ron Feinbaum with Maureen Bosch, right.
Kenneth and Jane Creed.
Tom and Deanene Catani.
City Councilman Mark and Emily Campen.
Chase and Natalie Bailey.
Antoinette Fritz is an awesome bartender!
Caterer Simon Hall did a great job with the food.
It was smart to serve cold food like this salmon.
And crab salad cups.
These caught my husband’s eye!
Here are some of those flowers that blew me away.
And these.
Jennifer Sheehan and Ross Dempster.
From left, Claire Queisser, Gibson Smith, Steve Queisser, Lesa Whitson and Handy Whitson.
John and Carol Sheridan.
Leezah and Burke Pinnell brought their cute grandson.
Peggy and Joe Wilson.
This painting by Nazzy Hashemian was up for auction. It is called, “Harmonious.”
I also liked this painting called “Union Avenue Morning” by Joe Parrott
This is “Journey Home” by Christine Patterson.
Poolside view.
Nazzy, right, with Randy and Jenny Boyd.
Jeff and Becky Ashin.
Volunteer Robbie Fromke trying to stay cool in front of the air conditioner. (It was a popular spot.)
Susie Racek, left, and Dorothy Smith.
Alan Carmichael and Martha Kern.
Betsey Bush, left, and Angela Pugh.
Festive party music was by Megan and Her Goody Goodies. Take a little listen:
It was a lovely evening.
The artwork was fabulous. Had one by Ruth Koh too.
Alan: I didn’t see Ruth’s piece! Bummer.
A wonderful way to make sick people feel better. And heal. I wondered where it began and didn’t realize that it was Knoxville. A beautiful way to serve others.
As a UTMC volunteer, I am relentless in recycling vases. Left overs from rummage sales, yard sales and getting neighbors to give me their excess. Vases, mugs most anything that holds water is useful. This is a great charity.
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