Flowers For The Front Lines

For most people, Valentine’s Day means buying a rose — a dozen, if you’re a big spender (or have a lot of making up to do) — for a loved one.

Michele Sinacore arranges and delivers those with ease.

But this week she’s in a crazy rush to deliver 1,500 roses, ordered by people for loved ones they’ve never met.

They’ll brighten the days of front line workers all around Fairfield County.

Michele — a Westport mom and former New York event producer — started Blossom + Stem Floral Design just over a year ago, at home. She’s succeeded during the pandemic with creativity, talent and persistence.

Yet even in the toughest times, she gives back to the community.

In June, Michele donated hundreds of boxed lunches (with flowers) to Yale New Haven Hospital. A former competitive triathlete and current avid runner who was diagnosed in 2019 with a very rare tumor, she’d been touched by the care she received their after intensive surgery.

Michele Sinacore (Photo/Tamira Wilcox)

That experience — and the grateful thanks for her gift — sparked an idea.

A longtime admirer of (and volunteer with) Al’s Angels, she approached founder Al DiGuido with an idea: asking residents to donate roses to local front liners.

Al went right to work. Norwalk, Bridgeport and Stamford Hospitals jumped at the idea of showing love to their staff.

Al’s network of donors came through too. In the first 10 minutes, 250 roses were promised. Within 72 hours, 600 flowers had been been donated.

Michele and Al added The Residence at Westport and Montefiore to their list of recipients. Soon, they’d sold 1,500 roses. People donated on behalf of their children, friends, even pets.

Local businesses like Performance Physical Therapy became supporters too.

On Monday, East Coast Whole Flowers delivered those 1,500 flowers to Michele’s garage. Teams of (masked and socially distanced) volunteers began pruning, water tubing and wrapping them in a temperature-friendly (cold) setting. They added messages of support, written by donors, to each rose.

A few of the 1,500 roses in Michele’s garage.

The next day, Michele made her first delivery: 65 flowers to The Residence. Employees were getting vaccinated — and, as an extra treat, given a rose.

Yesterday, Bridgeport and Montefiore Hospitals got 250 to 400 roses. They’ll hand them to staffs in their ICU, COVID, ER and children’s units.

Still ahead: Norwalk and Stamford Hospitals.

Michele Sinacore, surrounded by roses in her garage.

It’s Michele and Al’s way of spreading love and thanks.

Now all you need to do is order your own rose (or dozen) for your loved one, from Blossom + Stem. They deliver to our front liners — and to you.