Doing Good with the Grateful Vase

When Lindsey Curry and her mother walked into an Arkansas nursing home with a car full of flowers in December 2023, they had no idea they were planting the seeds for something bigger. The flowers, left over from a styled bridal shoot hosted by Fayetteville’s Tesori Bridal, co-owned by Curry’s sister, were destined for the trash. Instead, they became a literal bouquet of unexpected joy for the facility’s residents and staff. That moment was a turning point. 

Curry began researching how to start a nonprofit the moment she got home. Grateful Vase launched six months later, on June 10, 2024—her late grandparents’ wedding anniversary. Inspired by the care they received in long-term care facilities, Grateful Vase, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, repurposes event florals and decor. They find new life in senior living homes, hospice centers and memory care facilities across Springfield and northwest Arkansas.

Spreading the Love, One Bouquet at a Time

Hosts who like the idea of their event decor having a second life can request pickup through Grateful Vase’s website or social media. Volunteers retrieve the items after the event, refresh them, and deliver them to a nearby care facility, all within 24 hours. 

But the impact is immediate. Residents brighten at the sight of fresh flowers, and staff, often stretched thin, also appreciate the morale boost. Curry shares, “It’s really fulfilling to live and give with purpose, especially in places like these.”

“We try to give back to the same community they were donated in,” Curry explains. The process is seamless, free—the organization is 100% volunteer-led—and even tax-deductible for donors. 

“It’s a very isolated, forgotten-about environment,” Curry says of long-term care centers. “Until you have a family member in one, you just don’t really get it.”

Growing Roots in the Community

What started as a grassroots effort has grown rapidly. Solely through word-of-mouth and social media, in early March, Grateful Vase had over 35 confirmed pickups for 2025, with bookings extending into 2026. 

In December, Grateful Vase took its first steps in that direction, delivering appreciation bags to facility staff working on Christmas Day. Curry hopes to expand this initiative, ensuring those who dedicate their lives to caring for others feel seen and valued.

Beyond floral deliveries, Grateful Vase is launching new initiatives to engage seniors. In April, in partnership with Springfield’s He Loves Me Flowers, the organization introduced low-cost floral workshops at care facilities. The one-hour sessions guide seniors in creating their own arrangements, simultaneously fostering socialization and fine motor skills.

A local florist shop in northwest Arkansas will soon host Grateful Vase’s first workshop there for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers, specifically folks who can’t afford live-in care. It’s a deeply personal endeavor, as Curry’s grandfather battled Alzheimer’s and she witnessed the toll it took on him and her grandmother. “I want our reach to go beyond long-term care facilities and also support caregivers and staff.”

A Future in Full Bloom

With a small but dedicated team of volunteers, plus roughly 20 applications in queue, Grateful Vase is eager to grow. Curry actively seeks partnerships with florists, event planners and venues who can encourage their clients to donate. She’s also working on securing a brick-and-mortar space where volunteers can assemble arrangements more efficiently together.

That vision includes fundraising, applying for grants and expanding the volunteer base across the community. To sign up or donate, head to the Grateful Vase website’s “Support” section.

Her five-year plan? “To have delivered to every single facility in this area and northwest Arkansas, with at least weekly floral events for seniors.”