Alisa Anderson of Hearts and Petals flower shop in Baker City helped coordinate a campaign to bring flower bouquets to residents of local nursing homes in March. The focus for the April Appreciation campaign is doctors, nurses and others dealing with coronavirus.

Among those helping to bring peace of mind to others during these difficult times, Hearts and Petals flower shop in Baker City is spreading some early spring joy to residents in local nursing homes.

Alisa Anderson, who has been with Hearts and Petals since before its opening in 2015, spearheaded the shop’s Kindness Campaign.

The campaign began a month ago, with people sponsoring bouquets sent to local nursing homes.

“It’s a way to spread some love to the residents,” said Anderson, 48.

Anderson said instead of just delivering to designated residents, the flowers are given to the staff and employees to place on the center of their tables or wherever the flowers can bring the most joy.

Hearts and Petals delivered about 50 bouquets during March.

“It’s been fun,” Anderson said.

She said she heard from employees at nursing homes who said the flowers brightened residents’ days.

“They just love the fresh flowers,” Anderson said.

Hearts and Petals invited customers to call the shop and sponsor a bouquet. They could choose a preferred destination, although Anderson said she tried to spread the flowers equally among the homes.

Anderson and shop owner Denise Harmon intend to make March Kindness a yearly campaign with plans to do it again next March to continue spreading kindness.

For April, Anderson said they are in the process of planning April Appreciation that will focus on those on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.

Customers will be able to sponsor bouquets for firefighters, EMTs, police officers, doctors and nurses, emergency dispatchers and others.

Anderson said it’s a way to “let all those front line people know they are appreciated.”

Anderson and Harmon are still working on the details of the campaign, including contacting other local businesses and partnering with them to put something together.

After the flowers have wilted, Hearts and Petals takes back the vases for use in a new bouquet.

“It helps keep it going,” Harmon said.

Hearts and Petals’ phone number is 541-523-9434.